**Weight-loss Injections May Offer New Hope for Asthma Sufferers With Obesity, Study Suggests**
A major new study suggests that widely used weight-loss injections could play a significant role in easing asthma symptoms for people living with obesity—a group traditionally less responsive to the most common steroid treatments. The research, involving participants on drugs such as semaglutide (known by its brand name Wegovy) and tirzepatide (branded as Mounjaro), adds nuance to the discussion surrounding the benefits and future applications of these medications, initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes.
The drugs in question, scientifically referred to as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), mimic the actions of a natural hormone, regulating both blood sugar and insulin levels. Though their primary aim was to manage diabetes, these injections are now recognised for their potent effects on weight loss and are increasingly prescribed for that purpose across the NHS.
New findings, published in the journal *Advances in Therapy*, come at a time when scientists are actively exploring additional benefits of these medications, with earlier studies hinting at reduced risks of serious conditions like dementia and stroke. This latest research, carried out by an international team of experts, marks a step towards understanding whether similar positive outcomes could occur in patients with both obesity and asthma.
The comprehensive analysis reviewed health data from over 60,000 individuals, including more than 10,000 patients already taking GLP-1 RAs and upwards of 50,000 who were not on such medication. Over the duration of the study’s follow-up period, those using the weight-loss injections not only shed more excess weight but also reported improved control over their asthma symptoms compared to those not taking the drugs.
Professor David Price, Chair in Primary Care Respiratory Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, explained what makes this particular group stand out: “Obesity in people with asthma presents a unique challenge, as they often respond poorly to steroids.” He pointed out that while steroids target airway inflammation, GLP-1 RAs may tackle it via a different biological mechanism, suggesting the need to broaden therapeutic approaches for these patients.
Critically, the researchers highlighted that improvements in asthma control were observed even when weight loss was quite modest—on average, around 0.9 kilograms over the course of the year. This detail, said Prof Price, suggests the drugs may have a specific benefit on respiratory symptoms that isn’t solely dependent on dramatic weight reduction.
Further commentary came from Professor Alan Kaplan, Chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group in Canada. He said the findings should inform future discussions between patients and clinicians when choosing suitable medication: “Our results advocate for considering GLP-1 RAs when controlling asthma in obese individuals, as the potential advantages go beyond weight management alone.”
From a patient advocacy standpoint, Dr Erika Kennington, Head of Research and Innovation at Asthma and Lung UK, welcomed the study, noting that: “Losing weight is already known to help many asthma sufferers, but some people face mental or physical barriers to exercise. For these individuals, pharmacological help like GLP-1 RAs might break the cycle of worsening symptoms.”
However, Dr Kennington and her colleagues urge restraint, noting that the effectiveness of these drugs for all people with asthma remains unproven. As she cautioned, “It’s too soon to recommend them universally. We urgently need more targeted research to ascertain exactly how these injections improve asthma control.”
As the number of people with obesity and asthma continues to rise across the UK, the call for more research into promising medication is likely to intensify. Lung health research, campaigners note, faces persistent funding challenges, underpinning the need for more robust investment to translate such optimistic findings into widespread medical practice.
In conclusion, while GLP-1 RAs show considerable promise as a new tool for helping obese patients manage asthma, experts agree that further clinical trials and long-term studies are essential to confirm their safety and effectiveness before these therapies can be widely adopted for this purpose. The future for those facing both obesity and asthma may now include new hope—pending the results of ongoing and future research.