Concerns With Wegovy Increasing Liver Enzymes
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist answers a reader's concerns over Wegovy raising their liver enzymes.
I was on Wegovy for 12 weeks, and now liver enzymes showed up in my urine test. Should I discontinue taking Wegovy?
Jun 21, 2024- Wegovy can cause elevated liver enzymes in some patients, though this is uncommon, and increases in certain liver enzymes were observed during clinical trials.
- Your doctor needs to evaluate your specific liver test results through blood work to determine the cause of any elevation and whether Wegovy should be stopped.
Answer
Thank you for reaching out! I certainly understand your concern regarding Wegovy.
Unfortunately, it’s challenging to provide detailed guidance because your question is somewhat vague.
Liver enzymes aren’t typically found in urine; they are measured through blood tests. It is possible that enzymes can be seen in the urine, but urine tests are not typically used to assess liver function.
However, other substances like bilirubin are more commonly found in the urine under certain conditions.
Bilirubin, which is not a liver enzyme but a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells, can appear in urine and may indicate liver stress, injury or disease. It’s important to clarify what was actually found in your urine test.
Wegovy - Liver Concerns
As noted in the prescribing information for Wegovy, there have been observed cases of elevated liver enzymes in both pediatric and adult clinical trials, although it was uncommon.
Specifically, the prescribing information states that increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than or equal to five times the upper limit of normal were observed in a small percentage of Wegovy-treated patients. Increases in total bilirubin were also reported, albeit rarely.
Elevated liver enzymes, such as ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), could indicate liver injury or stress. These enzymes can be elevated due to various factors, including medication use, viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and other liver conditions.
What To Do Next
Based on the limited information provided, my best advice is to consult your doctor.
They can assess your liver enzyme levels in the context of your overall health and medication regimen. Your doctor may recommend discontinuing Wegovy if they believe it’s the cause of the elevated enzymes, but this decision should be made based on a thorough evaluation.
Your doctor might order additional tests to determine the exact cause of the enzyme elevation. This could include blood tests to rule out things like viral hepatitis or imaging studies to check for gallstones or other liver conditions.
It's also possible that Wegovy isn't responsible for the increase in enzymes, or they aren't increasing to concerning levels. Again, your best move here would be to consult the doctor who prescribed it to you for further guidance.
Final Words
Thanks for reaching out to us. Feel free to contact us again anytime.
References & sources
- Wegovy Prescribing Information — Novo
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Liver enzymes
- Proteins produced by the liver that help it function, and whose levels in the blood can indicate liver health or injury.
- Bilirubin
- A yellow substance created when the body breaks down old red blood cells, which can appear in urine and may signal liver problems.
- ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
- A liver enzyme that is measured in blood tests to assess whether the liver is damaged or stressed.
- AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
- Another liver enzyme found in blood that doctors measure to evaluate liver health and detect potential injury.
- Wegovy
- A prescription medication used for weight management that can occasionally cause changes in liver enzyme levels.
- Viral hepatitis
- An infection of the liver caused by a virus that can elevate liver enzymes and cause liver damage.
- Upper limit of normal
- The highest value considered healthy for a blood test measurement, used to determine if results are abnormal.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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