New obesity drugs linked to up to 40% reduction in asthma attacks

Semaglutide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and support weight loss, was associated with nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks in a study led by Imperial College London. The research also linked the drug to a 20% reduction in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The team examined whether people with asthma or COPD who qualified for GLP-1 receptor agonists because of obesity or type 2 diabetes experienced fewer acute respiratory episodes. Researchers analysed electronic health records from the United Kingdom through four parallel studies, each involving between 20,000 and 22,000 people who began a GLP-1 treatment or a diabetes medicine known as a sulfonylurea.

People with airway diseases who received GLP-1 therapies appeared to have fewer asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations than similar people prescribed other diabetes medicines. The association was strongest with semaglutide, particularly among people with asthma.

Chloe Bloom of Imperial College London said the results suggested the drugs could offer additional respiratory benefits. But she cautioned that the findings should not by themselves change treatment decisions. “People with asthma or COPD should not start treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists specifically for their lung disease outside current prescribing guidelines,” she said.

Earlier research has suggested that GLP-1 drugs may have anti-inflammatory effects and improve lung-related outcomes. However, asthma and COPD outcomes were not included as endpoints in clinical trials of GLP-1 medicines. Bloom said the new research used real-world medical records, but the results still need confirmation in clinical trials.

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People with asthma or COPD should not start treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists specifically for their lung disease outside current prescribing guidelines.