A recent study suggests that asthma patients who take the diabetes and weight-loss medication semaglutide may experience fewer asthma attacks. The research found a stronger link between semaglutide use and a reduction in flare-ups of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among individuals taking higher doses of the drug.
Moreover, those with more severe asthma appeared to benefit the most from semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in the weight loss drug Wegovy and the type 2 diabetes treatment Ozempic. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly called GLP-1s, which lower blood sugar levels and slow digestion, helping users feel full for longer periods.
Professor Chloe Bloom, lead author and clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, explained, “GLP-1 receptor agonists are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. While previous research has suggested they may have anti-inflammatory effects and improve lung-related outcomes, asthma and COPD outcomes have not typically been included in GLP-1 clinical trials.”
The study, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, analysed UK medical records of tens of thousands of patients who initiated treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists. It explored whether these therapies were associated with fewer acute respiratory exacerbations.
Professor Bloom added, “The effect was most notable with semaglutide, particularly in people with asthma, where its use was linked to nearly a 40% reduction in asthma attacks. Additionally, semaglutide was associated with a 20% decrease in COPD flare-ups.”
She cautioned that these findings are promising but should not yet influence treatment decisions. “Patients with asthma or COPD should not begin GLP-1 receptor agonists solely for their lung condition outside of current prescribing guidelines. Confirmatory clinical trials are needed to establish these benefits.”
Dr Alexander Mathioudakis, chair of the European Respiratory Society’s Group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment, commented, “This represents one of the largest real-world studies assessing GLP-1 receptor agonists in airway diseases and is among the first to determine differences between individual GLP-1 drugs. It underscores the importance of considering metabolic health as part of respiratory care and supports including respiratory outcomes in future trials of metabolic therapies.”
Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, said, “This encouraging study highlights that people taking semaglutide for diabetes or obesity may witness significant reductions in asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations. The effects were particularly notable for asthma sufferers compared with other GLP-1 agonists.”
“We are proud to support research that uses existing health data to enhance our understanding of lung health treatments. For people with asthma who also contend with diabetes or obesity, these findings offer hopeful progress in managing their respiratory condition. However, funding for lung health research remains critical as lung diseases are the third largest cause of death in the UK. Urgent increased investment is essential to improve outcomes for those affected.”