Research links medication found in Ozempic to higher risk of chronic cough
Researchers analysing about 500,000 GLP-1 users report a 12% higher risk of chronic cough, possibly via worsened acid reflux. The findings matter as Ozempic and Wegovy use grows worldwide.
Growing research suggests that semaglutide and other GLP-1 drugs may be linked to persistent chronic cough.
GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy), are widely used for type 2 diabetes and obesity treatment.
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Researchers at the University of Southern California, among other institutions, analysed medical records of about 500,000 GLP-1 users compared to 1.6 million patients on other diabetes medications.
They found that GLP-1 users had a 12 per cent higher risk of developing chronic cough, and this increased risk persisted even in patients without a history of GERD. No significant increased risk was observed when compared specifically to SGLT2 inhibitors.
Experts note that Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication for type 2 diabetes and weight management, does not directly cause cough. However, because it can slow stomach emptying, it may worsen acid reflux in some people, which in turn can lead to a chronic cough.
Unlike a typical cough that resolves quickly, a chronic cough lingers. It may present as a dry, irritating cough or one that produces mucus, accompanied by a tickling or burning sensation in the throat, hoarseness, chest discomfort from frequent coughing, disrupted sleep due to nighttime episodes, and fatigue or light-headedness after prolonged bouts of coughing.
Ozempic slows gastric emptying, meaning food and stomach acid remain in the stomach longer than usual. This can increase pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve that normally prevents acid from flowing back into the oesophagus, making gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) more likely.
When stomach acid escapes into the oesophagus and sometimes reaches the throat or voice box, it irritates the lining, triggering a reflexive cough. Even if the acid does not get to the upper airway, irritation in the lower oesophagus can stimulate nerves connected to the airways, causing coughing.
In some cases, tiny amounts of refluxed material may enter the airways, leading to inflammation and worsening pre-existing airway sensitivities, such as asthma, making the cough more persistent.
Unlike a typical cough that resolves quickly, a chronic cough lingers and often signals an underlying issue that requires medical attention.
It may present as a dry, irritating cough or one that produces mucus, accompanied by a tickling or burning sensation in the throat, hoarseness, chest discomfort from frequent coughing, disrupted sleep due to nighttime episodes, and fatigue or light-headedness after prolonged bouts of coughing.
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