Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound Gallbladder Problems: Gallstones, Risk and Warning Signs

Short answer

Yes, gallbladder problems are a listed risk. Every semaglutide and tirzepatide label (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) carries an "acute gallbladder disease" warning covering gallstones (cholelithiasis) and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). In the trials these events affected roughly 1 to 2 people in 100, a little more often than on placebo. Rapid weight loss raises gallstone risk on its own, but the Wegovy label says the excess remained after accounting for weight lost. Upper stomach pain, fever, yellow skin or eyes, or clay-coloured stools need prompt care. Not medical advice. Peptide Confessions does not publish dosing, timing, injection or sourcing guidance. Facts checked October 25, 2026.

Gallbladder rates on the labels

From the placebo-controlled trials in each US label (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, DailyMed, 2026):

What the labels say

The Wegovy label states that treatment "is associated with an increased occurrence of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis", that substantial or rapid weight loss can increase gallstone risk, and that gallbladder disease was still more common than on placebo after accounting for weight lost. The Zepbound label says acute gallbladder events "were associated with weight reduction" and that rates were similar in its sleep apnea trials. The Ozempic label lists cholecystitis and gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) among postmarketing reports. All four say gallbladder tests and follow-up are indicated if gallstones or inflammation are suspected.

What large reviews found

Pooled trial data and big real-world studies agree on a small but real increase, larger in weight-loss use:

Why it happens

Rapid weight loss is a known cause of gallstones on its own, which is why the labels tie these events to weight reduction. GLP-1 based drugs also act on the gallbladder directly: a 2024 review describes their effects on gallbladder emptying and notes they may raise the risk of biliary disease (Jalleh 2024). Gallstones matter beyond pain because a stone blocking the duct can trigger pancreatitis; see Ozempic and pancreatitis.

Warning signs

• —Pain in the upper stomach (abdomen).
• —Fever.
• —Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• —Clay-coloured stools. The Ozempic and Zepbound patient information lists these four signs and says to tell a healthcare provider right away.

If your gallbladder was removed

The labels do not say that people without a gallbladder cannot use these drugs, and gallbladder removal is one of the listed events rather than a reason they are not allowed. Whether to start or continue one after gallbladder disease is a decision for the prescriber.

In Canada

The Canadian Ozempic product monograph (July 13, 2026) carries an acute gallbladder disease warning and reports gallstones in 0.7% to 1.1% of people on Ozempic vs 0.5% on comparators in the pooled diabetes trials; the patient section lists gall stones among possible side effects. The Canadian Wegovy monograph gives 1.6% vs 0.7% for gallstones and 0.6% vs 0.2% for inflammation in adults. Generic semaglutide carries the same warnings. See Ozempic side effects in Canada and Mounjaro side effects in Canada.

What users report here

Gallbladder problems are rare in the archive: one live confession out of 883 raises the gallbladder (checked October 25, 2026). In #787 a retatrutide user reporting fast weight loss says, "For those concerned about gallbladder, I already had it removed." No live Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound confession mentions gallstones. Stories are not rates.