Medications commonly used for weight loss may also reduce migraine attacks and improve asthma symptoms, according to new research presented at the European Congress on Obesity.
Researchers found that people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a class of drugs that includes Wegovy, reported fewer asthma attacks and less need for inhalers.
In a separate study, women using Wegovy showed a significant decline in prescriptions for migraine medications, suggesting the treatment may help reduce the frequency or severity of migraine headaches.
The findings add to growing evidence that GLP-1RA drugs may offer health benefits beyond weight reduction.
These medications are already being used in England to help lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in certain patients.
The latest research suggests their potential therapeutic benefits could extend to a wider range of medical conditions.
Earlier,The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill form of the weight-loss drug Wegovy. Previously, Wegovy was only available as a once-weekly injection.
Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and its active ingredient is semaglutide, which is also used in other GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Rybelsus.
According to Medical News Today, obesity treatment experts are calling the Wegovy pill a “game changer” in obesity management. Bariatric surgeon Dr Seth Kappinis said fear of injections was a major barrier for many patients, which is now removed with the oral option, improving access and treatment adherence.
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Dr Devika Umashankar noted that side effects from weekly injections can last several days, while side effects from the daily pill usually subside within 24 hours.
Experts say the Wegovy pill is taken once daily on an empty stomach, with at least a 30-minute gap before eating or drinking.
