Glucagon-Like Peptide-1–Receptor Agonists Are Associated with Excess Risk for Gallbladder or Biliary Disease

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)–receptor agonists, such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and exenatide, are used to treat patients with diabetes, obesity, and other indications. However, evidence from randomized trials suggests GLP-1–receptor agonists are associated with an excess incidence of gallbladder disease. In this meta-analysis of 76 randomized, controlled trials that involved 103,000 participants (mean age, 58), researchers evaluated this association. The trials were designed to compare GLP-1–receptor agonists with placebo or non–GLP-1 agents: 60 trials were for diabetes, 13 were for obesity, and 3 were for other indications.

GLP-1 treatment was associated with significant 37% excess relative risk for gallbladder disease or biliary dise…