Patients with asthma using the weight loss and diabetes drug semaglutide may experience fewer attacks, a new study suggests.
The connection to reduced asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups was stronger among those receiving higher doses of semaglutide.
Researchers also noted that individuals with “more pronounced” asthma appeared to benefit the most.
Semaglutide acts as the key active ingredient in diabetes treatment Ozempic and weight management drug Wegovy.
It is part of a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1s, which help to lower blood sugar levels and slow down digestion, helping people stay fuller for longer.
open image in gallery“GLP-1 receptor agonists are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. 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,” said study lead Professor Chloe Bloom, clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London.
“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.”
The study, presented to the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona, Spain, examined whether a number of treatments were linked to a reduction in exacerbations.
Experts examined UK medical records of tens of thousands of people who started GLP-1s.
Prof Bloom said: “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.”
She added: “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-1 receptor agonists 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.”
Commenting on the study, Dr Alexander Mathioudakis, chairman of the European Respiratory Society’s Group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment, said: “This is one of the largest real-world studies to investigate GLP-1 receptor agonists and airways disease, and one of the first to examine whether effects differ between individual GLP-1 receptor agonists.
open image in gallery“It highlights the need to consider metabolic health as part of respiratory care.
“It also supports the case for including respiratory outcomes, such as asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations, in future trials of metabolic therapies.”
Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “This promising study indicates that people already taking semaglutide for diabetes or obesity experience a significant reduction in asthma attacks and COPD flare ups. The positive effects of semaglutide were significant for patients with asthma and COPD compared with other GLP-1 agnostics but stronger in asthma.
“These exciting findings build on research funded by Asthma + Lung UK, using existing health data to improve our understanding of lung health treatments.
“For people with asthma living with conditions like diabetes or obesity, this is a promising step forward in helping to treat their lung health.
“Cutting edge research like this is vital to improve the health and lives of people with lung conditions but funding for lung health research is on life support. While lung conditions remain the third biggest cause of death in the UK, we need urgent action to boost research investment and improve health outcomes.”