Groundbreaking weight loss and diabetes medications, hailed for revolutionising obesity treatment, have been linked to a significant increase in the risk of developing a debilitating chronic cough in people with type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
Study Reveals Significant Cough Risk
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles conducted a large-scale analysis, comparing health data from nearly 428,000 diabetes patients taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist against roughly 1.6 million individuals on older, second-line diabetes treatments.
The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, found that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy were associated with a 12 to 25 percent higher risk of a new diagnosis of severe, persistent coughing lasting at least eight weeks. This risk persisted for up to five years after starting the medication.
Surprising Mechanism Behind the Cough
GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a gut hormone that signals fullness to the brain and helps control blood sugar. While effective, they are now connected to a range of adverse effects beyond the well-documented nausea and gastrointestinal issues.
Initially, scientists suspected that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—a common cause of chronic cough—might explain the link. However, a secondary analysis excluding all patients with a prior GERD diagnosis yielded a surprising result: the association between GLP-1s and cough not only remained but grew stronger.
This led researchers to propose alternative mechanisms. They suggest the drugs, which slow stomach emptying, may cause a silent form of reflux called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), where stomach contents irritate the throat without causing heartburn. Another theory is that GLP-1 receptors found in the throat and lungs might directly stimulate the vagus nerve, triggering the cough reflex.
A Spectrum of Severe Side Effects
The discovery adds to a growing list of potential side effects associated with these immensely popular medications. Beyond chronic cough, GLP-1s have been tied to increased thoughts of self-harm and suicide, nerve dysfunction, and severe gastrointestinal distress.
Notably, the weight loss achieved is often reversible; patients typically regain all lost weight and see the return of associated health issues soon after stopping treatment.
Personal accounts underscore the severity of these reactions. Former FDA commissioner Dr David Kessler, who lost 60 pounds using a GLP-1 drug, endured 'terrifying' side effects including intense chills, persistent fatigue, and sharp abdominal pain. Influencer Jaime French described a 'literal poop storm' and 'agony' after her first injection, ultimately stopping the drug after 17 weeks with minimal weight loss but significant suffering.
Despite the risks, the drugs' popularity soars. A recent Gallup survey indicates over 12 percent of Americans now take a GLP-1 medication, a figure that has more than doubled since early 2024, contributing to a slight dip in the national obesity rate.
