Semaglutide-based drugs have quickly become established as treatments for obesity and diabetes, even as signs have emerged that their appetite-suppressing effect can sometimes lead to malnutrition, and even hair loss.
But in a potential welcome side effect, semaglutide – a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) – may also provide protection against asthma, according to Imperial College London (ICL) scientists who spoke at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress held on Sept 5-9 (2026) in Barcelona, Spain.
“People with airway diseases like asthma and COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] who were prescribed GLP-1 therapies appeared to have fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups than similar people who were prescribed other diabetes medicines,” the researchers said.
“The effect was strongest with semaglutide, especially in people with asthma, where use of semaglutide appears to be associated with nearly 40% reduction in asthma attacks,” explained study lead investigator and ICL National Heart and Lung Institute clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology Dr Chloe Bloom.
Assoc Prof Bloom and her colleagues picked through British electronic medical records for around 20,000 people to carry out four parallel studies based on whether patients were taking a GLP-1 treatment or sulphonylureas, another diabetes medication.
The research does not mean that people with asthma or other breathing problems should start taking weight loss drugs, however.
“We need clinical trials that include respiratory outcomes, such as asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations, lung function, symptoms and quality of life, to determine whether metabolic treatments could become part of a broader, more personalised approach to managing airways disease,” said Dr Alexander Mathioudakis, who chairs the ERS Group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment, and who was not involved in the study. – dpa
