Drug-induced Cholelithiasis

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of cholelithiasis in developed countries is high and its cause is multifactorial, with a negligible proportion of drug-induced cholelithiasis. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed. The most relevant and up-to-date information was incorporated. Results: There is a wide range of drugs that can induce lithiasis. While the risk of developing lithiasis is high with some drugs (ceftriaxone, atazanavir, somatostatin analogues), it is lower or even questionable with others. Some drugs precipitate in the bile and may account for up to 100% of the weight of the stone. Conclusion: Cholelithiasis can be induced by a wide range of drugs with different mechanisms of action. The aim of the article is to draw attention to this lesser known fact and the need to take into account the risk of developing lithiasis prior to therapy initiation.