Semaglutide linked to 20% fewer COPD flare-ups and nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks

by European Respiratory Society

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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The diabetes and weight-loss injection semaglutide can reduce asthma attacks by up to 40%, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The study was led by Chloe Bloom, clinical associate professor in respiratory epidemiology at the National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK, and presented by Dr. Bohee Lee.

Bloom said, "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.

"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."

Using UK electronic medical records, the researchers conducted four parallel studies that each looked at between 20,000 and 22,000 people who started taking any type of GLP-1 treatment or another type of diabetes medication called sulfonylureas.

They found that people with airway diseases such as asthma and COPD 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.

Bloom explained, "The effect was strongest with semaglutide, especially in people with asthma, where use of semaglutide appears to be associated with a nearly 40% reduction in asthma attacks. Semaglutide also led to a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups."

She believes that for people with airway disease who are already eligible for GLP-1 receptor agonists because of obesity or type 2 diabetes, the results suggest these treatments may have additional respiratory benefits.

She explained, "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."

Dr. Alexander Mathioudakis, chair of the European Respiratory Society's Group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment and senior lecturer in respiratory medicine at the University of Manchester, UK, who was not involved in the research, said, "Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are common in airway disease and are often underrecognized as problems that can and should be addressed.

"This is one of the largest real-world studies to investigate GLP-1 receptor agonists and airway disease, and one of the first to examine whether effects differ between individual GLP-1 receptor agonists.

"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.

"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 personalized approach to managing airway disease."

Key medical concepts

SemaglutideAsthmaGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Clinical categories

Pulmonary medicineClinical pharmacologyCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by European Respiratory Society Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Semaglutide linked to 20% fewer COPD flare-ups and nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks (2026, September 7) retrieved 8 September 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-semaglutide-linked-copd-flare-ups.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.