2026-09-08 12:02:18
Weight loss jabs could slash the risk of asthma attacks by almost 40 per cent, raising hopes the drugs could offer benefits beyond helping people shed pounds.
British scientists found people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were prescribed GLP-1 drugs suffered fewer respiratory flare-ups than those taking other diabetes medicines.
The effect was strongest among people with more severe asthma.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, was linked to a nearly 40 per cent reduction in asthma attacks and a 20 per cent reduction in COPD flare-ups.
The findings were presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, after researchers examined UK medical records from tens of thousands of people taking GLP-1 drugs.
Professor Chloe Bloom, study author and clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology at Imperial College London, said: “Previous research suggests that they may have anti-inflammatory effects and may improve lung-related outcomes, however, asthma and COPD outcomes have not been included as outcomes in GLP-1 drug trials.
“We wanted to use real-world health records to investigate whether people with asthma or COPD who started GLP-1 receptor agonists had fewer acute respiratory attacks.”
She added: “The effect was strongest with semaglutide especially in people with asthma, where use of semaglutide appears to be associated with nearly 40 per cent reduction in asthma attacks.
“Semaglutide also led to a 20 per cent reduction in COPD flare-ups.”
GLP-1 drugs are already widely used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, but growing research suggests they could have effects on other conditions.
Scientists believe their anti-inflammatory properties may partly explain the respiratory benefits, although the latest study cannot prove the drugs caused the reduction in attacks.
Prof Bloom said: “The findings from this study are encouraging, but they should not change treatment decisions on their own.
“People with asthma or COPD should not start GLP-1s specifically for their lung condition outside current prescribing guidance.
“While the findings suggest that some people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists may experience fewer respiratory attacks, this needs confirmation in clinical trials.”
Dr Alexander Mathioudakis, chairman of the European Respiratory Society’s Group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment, said the research highlighted the need to consider metabolic health as part of respiratory care.
Dr Samantha Walker, of Asthma + Lung UK, called the results “promising”, particularly for people with asthma who also have obesity or diabetes.
Around 5.4 million people in the UK have asthma, with about one in 20 sufferers experiencing severe disease.
The researchers stressed that further clinical trials are needed before GLP-1 drugs could be considered a treatment for lung conditions.
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