Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Study Links Semaglutide To Nearly 40% Fewer Asthma Attacks
Asthma can make it hard to breathe and can sometimes cause serious attacks.
Scientists studied whether semaglutide, a medicine used for diabetes and obesity, might help.
They looked at medical records from many people in the United Kingdom.
People with asthma who took semaglutide appeared to have about 40% fewer attacks than people taking another diabetes medicine.
People with COPD also appeared to have fewer flare-ups.
Scientists are not sure whether the benefit came from weight loss, reduced inflammation or another reason.
The study shows an association, but it does not prove that semaglutide prevents asthma attacks.
Doctors say people should not take it specifically for asthma yet.
People with asthma should continue using their prescribed inhalers and following medical advice.
A UK study found semaglutide users had nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks than similar users of sulfonylureas.
Semaglutide was also associated with a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups.
Researchers analysed electronic medical records across four studies involving 20,000 to 22,000 people each.
Possible explanations include weight loss, improved metabolic health and anti-inflammatory effects, but the mechanism is unproven.
Researchers say semaglutide should not be started specifically for asthma until clinical trials confirm the findings.
- Who
- Researchers led by Professor Chloe Bloom of Imperial College London's National Heart & Lung Institute studied people with asthma or COPD taking diabetes medicines.
- What
- The study found semaglutide was associated with nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks and 20% fewer COPD flare-ups.
- When
- The findings were presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona; the articles do not specify a date.
- Where
- The research analysed electronic medical records from the United Kingdom, and the findings were presented in Barcelona.
- Why
- Researchers are investigating whether semaglutide's effects on weight, metabolic health or inflammation may influence respiratory outcomes.
Why The Findings Are Encouraging
Why Treatment Should Not Change Yet
Potential respiratory benefit
Why The Findings Are Encouraging
Semaglutide showed the strongest association, with nearly 40% fewer asthma attacks and 20% fewer COPD flare-ups.
Why Treatment Should Not Change Yet
The study observed an association in medical records and cannot establish that semaglutide directly prevented the attacks or flare-ups.
Possible explanation
Why The Findings Are Encouraging
The medicines may help through weight loss, improved metabolic health or anti-inflammatory effects that could influence the airways.
Why Treatment Should Not Change Yet
The researchers do not know the exact mechanism, and the study cannot show that weight loss alone caused the reduction.
Use as an asthma treatment
Why The Findings Are Encouraging
The findings suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists could merit further investigation for people with airway diseases.
Why Treatment Should Not Change Yet
Researchers say patients should not start GLP-1 receptor agonists specifically for asthma or COPD until clinical trials confirm the results.
- Asthma attack reduction
- Nearly 40% among people prescribed semaglutide compared with similar people taking a sulfonylurea.
- COPD flare-up reduction
- 20% association with semaglutide use.
- Study data
- Electronic medical records from the United Kingdom.
- Research design
- Four studies, each involving between 20,000 and 22,000 people.
- Comparison medicine
- Sulfonylurea diabetes medicines.
- Study leader
- Professor Chloe Bloom of the National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College London.
- Clinical caution
- Researchers say more clinical trials are needed and semaglutide should not be started specifically for asthma outside current prescribing guidance.