Acute Cholecystitis Is Associated with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Thirty of 36 patients in this series underwent cholecystectomy, and 3 died.

In a recent meta-analysis of randomized trials, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were associated with excess risk for gallbladder and hepatobiliary disease (NEJM JW Gen Med May 15 2022 and JAMA Intern Med 2022; 182:513). In this new study, researchers reviewed data from the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System and identified cases of acute cholecystitis associated with GLP-1 receptor agonist use between 2005 and 2021.

Overall, 36 cases of acute cholecystitis (median age, 55) associated with exenatide (21), dulaglutide (7), semaglutide (7), and lixisenatide (1) were identified. For 33 cases, the indication for GLP-1 receptor agonist use was diabetes. Fourteen patients were receiving high-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists. Seven…

Reviewing Author

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Acute Cholecystitis Is Associated with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Topics

Reviewing Author