Semaglutide linked to fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups in new study
A real-world analysis of UK health records suggests that patients with asthma who use the GLP-1 drug semaglutide experience about a 40% drop in attacks, with COPD exacerbations falling around 20%.
An analysis of UK medical records presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona indicates that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for diabetes and weight loss, may markedly lower acute respiratory events. The investigation, led by Professor Chloe Bloom of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, found a roughly 40% reduction in asthma attacks and a 20% decline in COPD exacerbations among users, with the effect most pronounced in patients with severe asthma.
While the observational data are encouraging, Bloom emphasized that treatment decisions should remain guided by current prescribing guidelines until randomized trials confirm the benefit. European Respiratory Society airway specialist Alexander Mathioudakis praised the study’s scale and called for metabolic health to be integrated into respiratory care. Samantha Walker of Asthma + Lung UK described the results as a promising step for patients coping with both lung disease and metabolic conditions, while also urging greater research funding for lung health.
