Among 2,245 patients on GLP-1 drugs for obesity, 2.2% developed acute pancreatitis — gallstone disease and alcohol use were key risk factors.
2.2%Rate of acute pancreatitis among 2,245 patients started on GLP-1 drugs for obesity
What the researchers found
Of 2,245 GLP-1 RA users for obesity, 2.2% developed acute pancreatitis; gallstone history and alcohol use were significant predictors.
Why it matters
Identifying who is at highest risk for pancreatitis on GLP-1 drugs allows clinicians to make safer prescribing decisions.
The numbers in context
N=2,245; 49 cases (2.2%); gallstone disease aOR 2.9 (1.6-5.3); prior AP aOR 4.8 (1.8-13.2); CAD/PVD aOR 2.0 (1.01-3.9); tobacco aOR 2.4 (1.2-4.7); BMI 36-40 aOR 0.2 (0.06-0.6).
How the study worked
Retrospective case-control study with multivariable logistic regression to identify pancreatitis risk factors.
Who was studied
Adults initiated on GLP-1 RAs for obesity management
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective design — may miss cases or confounders. Single-center study. The 2.2% rate may reflect the specific patient population.
How to read the evidence
Retrospective case-control — reasonable for identifying risk factors but incidence rates should be interpreted cautiously.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, providing timely safety data as GLP-1 prescriptions for obesity surge.
The bigger picture
Rather than avoiding GLP-1 drugs entirely due to pancreatitis fears, targeted risk assessment can guide safer prescribing.
Questions still open
- Should patients with gallstone history avoid GLP-1 drugs or just be monitored more closely?
- Does rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs increase gallstone-related pancreatitis risk?
Common questions
Can GLP-1 drugs cause pancreatitis?
Should I worry about pancreatitis on Wegovy or Ozempic?
Read the original research
Predictors of acute pancreatitis in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.], 25(5), 609-613
Citation
Postlethwaite, Robert; Amin, Amin M; Alsawas, Rand; Almandoz, Jaime P; Sawas, Tarek. (2025). Predictors of acute pancreatitis in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management.. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.], 25(5), 609-613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pan.2025.06.018