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Study · Case report or series · n = 1 · 2026

11 results

Case Report: Acute biliary pancreatitis after semaglutide dose escalation in an adolescent with obesity and cholelithiasis.

Alanizi AH, Alruwythi GM, Alotaibi NH, Alanazi NH, Alghurabi AM, Qubaiban R, Alsubaie N

Frontiers in pediatrics7 Sept 2026

PMID42769395 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13590710 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fped.2026.1959617 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42769395
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Summary

BackgroundSemaglutide is increasingly used for weight management in adolescents with obesity. Although gastrointestinal adverse effects are common, gallbladder disease and acute pancreatitis are less frequent but clinically important complications. The relationship between semaglutide therapy, biliary disease, and pancreatitis in adolescents remains incompletely characterized.Case descriptionA 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management. Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss. An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation. Approximately five weeks after dose escalation, she presented with severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory investigations demonstrated elevated lipase, bilirubin, AST, and ALT. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography confirmed multiple gallstones without choledocholithiasis or biliary ductal dilatation. She was diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis and managed conservatively. Semaglutide was discontinued, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Histopathology demonstrated chronic calculous cholecystitis. The Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale yielded a score of 3, corresponding to a possible adverse drug reaction.ConclusionThis case highlights the clinical complexity of acute biliary pancreatitis occurring during semaglutide therapy in an adolescent with documented cholelithiasis. Although a definitive causal relationship cannot be established, the temporal relationship dose escalation and substantial weight loss raises the possibility that semaglutide may have contributed to the development of biliary complications and subsequent pancreatitis. Clinicians should remain vigilant for gallbladder disease and pancreatitis in adolescents receiving glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, particularly those with known gallstones or substantial weight loss.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study11

11 results from studies that gave the peptide. 11 results from people.

  1. 01HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and documented gallstones, acute biliary pancreatitis occurred during semaglutide therapy about five weeks after dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, pancreatitis occurred during semaglutide therapy after escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableAcute biliary pancreatitis
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    She was diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis and managed conservatively.
    4 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Approximately five weeks after dose escalation, she presented with severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting.
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  2. 02HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, severe epigastric pain occurred about five weeks after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, severe upper abdominal pain occurred after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableSevere epigastric pain
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Approximately five weeks after dose escalation, she presented with severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  3. 03HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, nausea occurred about five weeks after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, nausea occurred after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableNausea
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Approximately five weeks after dose escalation, she presented with severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  4. 04HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, vomiting occurred about five weeks after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, vomiting occurred after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableVomiting
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Approximately five weeks after dose escalation, she presented with severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  5. 05HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, lipase was elevated after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn an adolescent with obesity and gallstones, lipase was elevated during assessment after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseLipase
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Laboratory investigations demonstrated elevated lipase, bilirubin, AST, and ALT.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  6. 06HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, bilirubin was elevated after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn an adolescent with obesity and gallstones, bilirubin was elevated during assessment after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseBilirubin
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Laboratory investigations demonstrated elevated lipase, bilirubin, AST, and ALT.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  7. 07HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, AST was elevated after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn an adolescent with obesity and gallstones, AST was elevated during assessment after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseAST
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Laboratory investigations demonstrated elevated lipase, bilirubin, AST, and ALT.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  8. 08HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity and gallstones, ALT was elevated after semaglutide dose escalation.

    In plain wordsIn an adolescent with obesity and gallstones, ALT was elevated during assessment after semaglutide escalation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseALT
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Laboratory investigations demonstrated elevated lipase, bilirubin, AST, and ALT.
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  9. 09HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    In a 16-year-old girl with obesity, transition from liraglutide to semaglutide with escalation to 2.4 mg once weekly was accompanied by substantial weight loss.

    In plain wordsIn a 16-year-old girl with obesity, changing to semaglutide was accompanied by substantial weight loss.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseBody weight loss
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
  10. 10HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    For the biliary pancreatitis case during semaglutide therapy, the Naranjo scale score was 3, corresponding to a possible adverse drug reaction.

    In plain wordsFor this semaglutide case, the adverse-reaction score indicated a possible drug reaction.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableNaranjo adverse drug reaction assessment
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale yielded a score of 3, corresponding to a possible adverse drug reaction.
    4 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
    Summary · context
    She was diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis and managed conservatively.
  11. 11HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome

    After semaglutide was discontinued and cholecystectomy performed, histopathology showed chronic calculous cholecystitis.

    In plain wordsAfter semaglutide was stopped and surgery performed, tissue testing showed chronic calculous gallbladder inflammation.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableChronic calculous cholecystitis
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    2.4 mg once weeklyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide was discontinued, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Histopathology demonstrated chronic calculous cholecystitis.
    4 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A 16-year-old female with obesity was treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management.
    Summary · context
    Following approximately nine months of liraglutide therapy, she was transitioned to semaglutide and subsequently escalated to 2.4 mg once weekly, with substantial weight loss.
    Summary · context
    An abdominal ultrasound performed before escalation to 2.4 mg demonstrated multiple small gallstones without biliary ductal dilatation.
    Summary · context
    She was diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis and managed conservatively.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

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Terms as the source lists them.

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