A leading pharmacist has sounded the alarm over a “worrying” spike in gallbladder problems, reportedly linked to weight loss medications.
Deborah Grayson, who doubles as a nutritional therapist, has noticed an uptick in patients on ‘skinny jabs’ like Mounjaro developing issues such as inflamed gallbladders and gallstones, along with a corresponding increase in surgeries for gallstone removal.
Manufacturers of rival drugs Wegovy and Saxenda caution users about a one in ten chance of gallbladder complications. On the other hand, Mounjaro’s stated risk is lower at one in 100, but Mrs Grayson expressed that she “wouldn’t be surprised” if this figure requires revision by its producers.
‘The Godmother of Pharmacology’, as Mrs Grayson is known, took her concerns to TikTok to raise awareness about the issue.
In her post, Grayson highlighted that while medications like Mounjaro – also known by its generic name tirzepatide – are proving effective for managing weight and type 2 diabetes, they may interfere with gallbladder functions, thereby hiking the risk of gallstones and further complications.
Her TikTok video about how Mounjaro could be triggering gallbladder disease, and identifying those at greater risk – notably that it can affect up to 1 in 10 people – has gone viral, amassing upwards of 100,000 views and drawing hundreds of comments from intrigued viewers.
Mrs Grayson said: “Anecdotally, I am seeing a worrying rise in the number of people on weight loss medication experiencing gallbladder issues. Many of the practitioners I’m working with have in the past week or two, revealed how at least one or two of their own clients have needed gallbladder surgery. And another saw their pancreas pack in.
“In their side effect information, weight loss medication manufacturers claim one in 10 users experienced gallbladder issues during their trials. But for Mounjaro, it’s one in 100, which I wouldn’t be surprised to see change.”
Mrs Grayson explained how data from initial studies can differ greatly when the drug is used more broadly, saying: “Short-term studies carried out at the beginning of a drug’s journey will often change once that medication is being used in a real-world setting. The issue we have now is the sheer volume of people taking it, and the doses they are taking. It seems people are desperate to take the biggest dose possible and use it for longer and with greater frequency to experience the biggest results.
“However, this means the one in 100 figure is more than likely to change for Mounjaro.”
Determined to spread awareness, Mrs Grayson has taken to social media: “I felt compelled to tackle the topic on TikTok in a bid to raise awareness on a platform with the potential to reach thousands of people. It’s important for those considering weightloss drugs to be armed with the most up-to-date information possible with which to make an informed decision.”
She clarified: “I’m not anti-weightloss medication, but I do believe users need to be informed.”
In the TikTok video, Mrs Grayson, who is the pharmacist and nutritional therapist in residence for charity Heartburn Cancer UK, said: “Did you know Mounjaro’s causing gallbladder disease?
“For those that don’t know me, I’m Debbie, the godmother of pharmacology. I’m a pharmacist and registered nutritional therapist and I help people navigate the medication minefield.
“I’m seeing more and more patients taking weight loss injections who then need their gallbladders removed. The injections slow down the flow of bile through the gallbladder and delay emptying by suppressing the release of the hormone that controls it.”
“This is one of the key ways in which it works. Unfortunately, this can also mean that in some people, this can make bile more sludgy and even lead to the formation of gallstones. The risk of gallstone development can be as high as one in ten people.”
Mrs Grayson’s warning comes just days after Stephanie Hill, 40, from Renfrewshire, in Scotland, revealed she was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder after losing three stone in three months while using weight loss medication.
Mounjaro belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which also includes the widely used Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications work by mimicking gut hormones to regulate blood sugar, slow digestion and suppress appetite – key mechanisms that make them effective for weight loss.
Taking to her TikTok account @tgopharm, Mrs Grayson, the mind behind Practice With Confidence, which offers revolutionary patient care training, and Digestion With Confidence, focusing on acid reflux and digestion issues, warns that weight loss meds might have unwanted effects on the gallbladder. She mentioned studies indicating that about 10% of people on these drugs could end up with gallstones, with certain demographics being more vulnerable.
Emphasising that those with particular conditions could be more prone to gallbladder problems while on weight loss medication, she detailed the risks for individuals with thyroid disorders or those undergoing menopause, where ‘sludgy bile’ is common – a build-up of overly cholesterol-rich bile that can lead to gallstones. She added that this could well be the mechanism responsible for the increased numbers..
In her TikTok clip, Mrs Grayson issued an advisory: “We have a greater risk of developing gallstones if we’re female, have thyroid disease, are menopausal or perimenopausal, or have experienced rapid weight loss.”
She added: “So if any of these apply to you, it’s important to look out for the signs that your gallbladder is struggling. This might start with sludgy bile before progressing to stones.
“There are a number of symptoms associated with sludgy bile and gallstones and you don’t have to have all of them.”
The list of symptoms to watch out for is extensive, including severe reflux, burping or trapped wind, chest pain, pain under the rib cage, left-sided shoulder pain, severe abdominal pain lasting for hours, diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes and pale greasy floaty stools.
If you have any of these symptoms it’s important to see your GP and get your gallbladder checked, Mrs Grayson insists.
In the wake of reports last year linking weight loss injections to pancreatitis and gastroparesis – a condition that affects the stomach’s ability to empty – Mrs Grayson underscored the necessity of being vigilant about symptoms and consulting with a healthcare professional regarding the potential dangers of weight loss medications. “There are ways to manage the risk, but awareness is key,” she emphasised.
Mrs Grayson’s TikTok video has ignited a flurry of online discussions, with numerous users chiming in with their own stories. Caroline David shared her ordeal: “This is exactly what happened to me! I was fine then I started Mounjaro and I had my first symptoms in the first week then I had it twice more which ended in hospital with an infected gallbladder.”
BC shared a cautionary tale: “Wish I had seen this before I started MJ months ago – just been discharged from my second hospital visit (including several days in intensive care) and I’ve got gallbladder surgery next week!”.
In contrast, Dancing Queen reported a positive experience: “I got gall stones and been on this since May and have lost 3 stone and have had no issues with my gall bladder.”
Zoe-Louise chimed in, offering a different perspective: “Listen if you are in the ffff group you’ll probably have the start of gallbladder issues that will show themselves with or without MJ. It’s non avoidable. MJ does not “cause” gallstones.”
A spokesperson for Lilly, the company that manufactures Mounjaro, said: “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority and we actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines to MHRA. The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that gallstones is a common side effect of tirzepatide when used for weight management (may affect up to 1 in 10 people), and that cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder), and gallstones in tirzepatide used for type 2 diabetes, are uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people).
“If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, we encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”