Growing Evidence GLP-1 Medicines May Help Asthma Outcomes

Growing Evidence GLP-1 Medicines May Help Asthma Outcomes

20 May 2026

The large Danish study followed more than 27,000 people with asthma and found that those treated with GLP-1 medicines had fewer asthma exacerbations and reduced use of reliever inhalers compared with the year before treatment.

The study also reported a 26% lower rate of asthma attacks and a 14% reduction in reliever inhaler use. Researchers noted that improvements were seen regardless of whether the medication was prescribed for diabetes or weight management, with weight loss likely playing a key role in the outcomes.

Experts say this adds to growing research showing GLP-1 medicines may have benefits beyond diabetes and weight loss, including effects on inflammation and other health conditions.

Respiratory experts in Australia say the findings are not unexpected, given the known link between obesity and asthma. They explain that both conditions are closely connected and can influence each other.

They also highlight that weight loss is already known to improve asthma control in patients with obesity, and GLP-1 therapies may support this indirectly through metabolic and inflammatory effects.

However, experts caution that more clinical trials are needed to better understand which patients are most likely to benefit and whether these medicines should be used specifically for asthma management.

They also emphasise that GPs remain central to asthma care, particularly in providing holistic management that considers respiratory symptoms, lifestyle factors, and co-existing conditions.

A further Danish study presented at the same conference suggested semaglutide may also reduce migraine medication use in women, though results were not seen in men.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: European Congress on Obesity / Danish research report

 
 
 

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