GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS AND THE RISK OF CHOLELITHIASIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5421Keywords:
Gallstone Disease, Obesity, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Type 2 DiabetesAbstract
Background: Gallstone disease is a chronic condition characterized by the formation of calculi within the biliary tract. It represents a common health issue, particularly among obese populations or those with type 2 diabetes. An increasing number of clinical evidence suggests a potential association between an elevated risk of gallstone development and the chronic use of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy on the risk of biliary complications, with particular emphasis on gallstone disease. Selected clinical studies and meta-analyses were reviewed, and the mechanisms of gallstone formation, as well as their clinical implications for patient management and therapy selection, were evaluated.
Methods: We analyzed the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on gallstone development, gallbladder function, gastrointestinal hormonal regulation, and the impact of rapid weight loss, based on widely available randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses.
Results: GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with an increased risk of gallstone formation, primarily due to the promotion of rapid weight loss, as well as their effects on gastrointestinal hormonal regulation and gallbladder function, particularly in obese individuals and those with type 2 diabetes.
Conclusions: Chronic therapy with GLP-1 receptor agonists constitutes a risk factor for the development of gallstone disease. However, further long-term clinical studies in larger populations are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of this association.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Julia Pająk, Anna Kamosińska, Antoni Majda, Natalia Sitko, Paulina Makowska, Joanna Gontarczyk, Alicja Laske, Martyna Sowa, Kacper Kucharski, Adam Kowal, Julia Sokołowska, Marcel Dawidowicz
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