Weight-Loss Drug Linked to Gallbladder Issues, Woman Recounts Painful Surgery
A Texas woman experienced severe pain and required gallbladder removal after losing 75 pounds on Mounjaro, highlighting potential side effects of popular GLP-1 medications.
Sabrina, a mother of three from Houston, Texas, reported experiencing severe pain and undergoing gallbladder removal surgery after taking the GLP-1 medication Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss. She began the medication in September 2022 following a prediabetes diagnosis.
After losing 75 pounds and reaching her weight goal, Sabrina began experiencing digestive problems approximately seven months later, in April 2023. The symptoms escalated to severe pain, leading to her hospitalization and subsequent gallbladder removal surgery. She shared images of her post-surgery incision and depicted herself in the hospital before the operation.
Her experience brings attention to potential risks associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that includes Mounjaro and Ozempic, which have gained popularity for their effectiveness in weight management. These medications mimic hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar.
A meta-analysis published in 2023, which reviewed data from 9,871 participants, indicated that individuals using tirzepatide had a nearly twofold increased risk of developing gallbladder disease. The study highlighted the small sac, highlighted in red on the left, as a potential site of complications.
Sabrina's journey showcases the significant weight loss she achieved, which she described as making her feel happy in her own skin. However, her subsequent health crisis underscores the importance of being aware of the potential adverse effects of these powerful medications. She initially started Mounjaro as a treatment for prediabetes, a condition often associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, conditions that weight loss drugs aim to address.
