New Study Links GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Mounjaro to Chronic Cough!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 05, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, 31 minutes ago
Medical News: Chronic Cough Emerging in Users of Newer Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs
A concerning new health finding has emerged from a major U.S. study involving adults with type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, along with experts from Mayo Clinic Arizona, Stanford University, and Cedars Sinai Medical Center, have identified a link between a commonly used class of diabetes drugs—GLP-1 receptor agonists—and the onset of chronic cough.
Study finds new designer weight-loss and diabetes drugs may raise chronic cough risk
These medications, known for helping manage blood sugar and support weight loss, are now under scrutiny as evidence mounts that their use may increase the risk of developing persistent coughing issues among patients.
What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a group of medications prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. They work by mimicking a hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. Recently, they have become increasingly popular for weight management as well. Examples of GLP-1 agonists include semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon). Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is another example, sometimes categorized with GLP-1s or as a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. These medications are available as both injections (daily or weekly) and oral tablets.
Details of the Study and Its Findings
The researchers analyzed electronic medical records from 70 different healthcare organizations across the United States, covering more than 2 million patients with type 2 diabetes. Among them, 427,555 individuals were prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while 1,614,495 patients were given other second-line diabetes medications such as DPP-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, or SGLT2 inhibitors.
The study found that those who were on GLP-1 receptor agonists were more likely to be newly diagnosed with chronic cough compared to those on other diabetes medications. Even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, and co-existing medical conditions, the risk remained significant.
Specifically, the hazard of developing chronic cough was 12 percent higher compared to those on non-GLP-1 drugs, 18 percent higher when compared to users of DPP-4 inhibitors, and 32 percent higher than those taking sulfonylureas. Interestingly, there was no increased risk found when compared with those on SGLT2 inhibitors.
This
Medical News report also highlighted an even stronger link when individuals with a prior diagnosis of acid reflux were excluded from the analysis. In that scenario, the risk percentages jumped even higher, with GLP-1 drug users facing a 29 to 36 percent greater chance of developing chronic cough compared to other medication groups.
What This Means for Patients
The authors stress that this discovery doesn't me
an GLP-1 receptor agonists should be discontinued. These medications remain vital for many in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, the new findings underscore the importance of monitoring patients for respiratory symptoms and having informed discussions about benefits versus risks.
For patients already experiencing unexplained coughs after starting GLP-1 therapies, these results may offer important insights and should prompt immediate consultation with their healthcare provider.
These findings open the door to future studies aimed at uncovering how GLP-1 receptor agonists might affect nerve pathways or other mechanisms that lead to chronic cough. Understanding these processes could help improve drug safety and patient comfort.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2842204
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Medical News.
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