Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, was tied to nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks and about 20% fewer COPD flare-ups in a large UK analysis. The findings were presented September 7 at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona.
The team ran four parallel analyses of UK electronic medical records, each covering roughly 20,000 to 22,000 people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that makes breathing progressively harder.
Each patient had started either a GLP-1 receptor agonist such as semaglutide or an older diabetes drug called a sulfonylurea.
Compared with the sulfonylurea group, GLP-1 users had fewer respiratory attacks. The effect was strongest with semaglutide in the asthma group.
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Where the evidence stands
The work was led by Professor Chloe Bloom, a clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology at Imperial College London's National Heart & Lung Institute, and presented at the congress by Dr. Bohee Lee.
A conference presentation is an early stage of scientific reporting. This analysis has not yet undergone full peer review, and its observational design can show an association but not prove semaglutide itself caused the drop.
Researchers already suspected GLP-1 drugs may reduce inflammation. The new data suggest that effect could extend to the airways.
What it may mean for patients
For readers already taking Ozempic, Wegovy or a similar GLP-1 drug for type 2 diabetes or obesity, the results hint at a possible bonus benefit for the lungs.
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But Bloom was clear this is not a reason to start the drug for lung disease alone.
"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," said Bloom to News-Medical.
Anyone whose asthma or COPD symptoms are getting worse should talk to a doctor about their current inhaler and treatment plan, not switch medications on their own.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.