GLP-1 Medications and Chronic Cough in Diabetics
- New research suggests a potential connection between medications used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss-specifically, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists-and the progress of chronic cough.
- Published: December 12, 2023 | last Updated: December 12, 2023 11:22:04 AM PST
- GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes.
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GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Chronic Cough, Study Finds
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New research suggests a potential connection between medications used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss-specifically, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists-and the progress of chronic cough. The findings, published December 11, 2023, in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, prompt doctors to consider these drugs as a possible cause when evaluating patients with persistent cough.
Published: December 12, 2023 | last Updated: December 12, 2023 11:22:04 AM PST
What are GLP-1 Drugs?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes. Thay work by mimicking the effects of the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone,which helps regulate blood sugar levels. These drugs stimulate insulin release, suppress glucagon secretion, slow gastric emptying, and promote a feeling of fullness. Popular examples include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda). They have gained widespread use not only for diabetes management but also for weight loss.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as other older drugs in the same class, is at the center of this new research.
The Link Between GLP-1s and Cough
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles investigated the potential association between GLP-1 use and chronic cough. The study revealed that some patients developed a persistent cough after starting these medications, even in the absence of typical causes like acid reflux.
GLP-1 drugs are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects, including slowed digestion. This slowing can contribute to gastric acid reflux, a known risk factor for cough. Though,the study’s findings indicate that the connection between GLP-1 use and cough extends beyond those with reflux. The research published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck surgery demonstrates the association even in patients without acid reflux.
What doctors Should Do
The researchers emphasize the importance of considering GLP-1 drugs as a potential cause of chronic cough, particularly when other common causes have been ruled out.They recommend that physicians proactively ask patients about their use of these medications during evaluations for persistent cough.
“We recommend that physicians who see patients with chronic cough be aware of this newly identified relationship between GLP-1 drugs and cough and ask patients about the use of these treatments,” stated Dr. Anca Barbu, a study author from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.