Weight Loss Jabs Linked to Chronic Cough

Popular weight loss injections, including Wegovy and Mounjaro, may be associated with an unexpected side effect: a chronic cough. A comprehensive study analyzing the medical records of over two million individuals revealed that users of these GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications were significantly more likely, up to 36 percent, to develop a persistent cough lasting eight weeks or more.

Scientists hypothesize that the jabs could trigger this condition through mechanisms such as acid reflux or by activating rogue nerve signals. The study noted that individuals with type 2 diabetes prescribed GLP-1 RAs faced a higher risk of being diagnosed with chronic cough or gastroesophageal reflux disease compared to those on different medications. Further research is needed to confirm this association and elucidate the exact biological pathways involved.

While some reports indicate that fat jabs can cause acid reflux, a known symptom of which is coughing, the GLP-1 receptors are also present in the airways. In the UK, where an estimated 2.5 million people use these injections, lung-related side effects are reported infrequently. Most users obtain the medications privately, and common side effects reported to regulators include nausea and digestive issues rather than respiratory problems.