Jump to: Understanding COPD | How does Mounjaro affect COPD? | Things to consider before taking Mounjaro with COPD | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it might offer additional benefits beyond weight loss for people living with respiratory conditions.
Research indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro may help reduce inflammation in the airways, potentially benefiting people with COPD.
In the UK, COPD affects approximately 2% of the population, with higher rates in people aged over 40.
The condition is common in people living with obesity, which can worsen respiratory symptoms and make breathing more difficult.
While Mounjaro wasn’t specifically designed to treat COPD, its effects on metabolism and inflammation and its support for weight loss could help manage some aspects of the condition.
However, it’s essential to understand that Mounjaro doesn’t replace your current COPD medication or treatment plan and should be used alongside developing healthy habits.
Understanding COPD
COPD is a progressive lung condition that causes breathing difficulties due to narrowed airways and damaged air sacs in the lungs.
The condition typically develops slowly over many years, with symptoms often not becoming noticeable until people reach their late 40s or 50s.
Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
- Persistent cough, often with phlegm
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
- Chest tightness
- Frequent respiratory infections
While smoking remains the primary cause in the UK, long-term exposure to other irritants can also contribute to COPD development.
The relationship between COPD and body weight is more complex than might be expected.
About 21.8% of COPD patients are obese, with higher rates in mild to moderate disease stages compared to severe COPD.
There’s a so-called ‘obesity paradox’ in COPD, where overweight and obese patients often show better survival rates compared to normal-weight patients, particularly in severe COPD.
However, this isn’t truly a paradox but instead may reflect several biological and clinical factors:
Preserved muscle mass: Patients with higher body weight may maintain more muscle mass, which is crucial for respiratory function and overall health outcomes in COPD. This preserved muscle tissue can provide vital energy reserves during periods of illness or exacerbation.
Earlier intervention: People with both obesity and COPD often receive medical attention earlier in their disease course, potentially leading to better-preserved lung function through timely treatment and monitoring.
Exercise capacity: Contrary to what might be expected, obese COPD patients have demonstrated higher peak oxygen consumption during exercise testing, which correlates with better survival outcomes.
Comprehensive care: The presence of obesity-related conditions like diabetes or hypertension often leads to more regular medical monitoring and comprehensive healthcare management.
On the other hand, the relationship between obesity and higher survival in severe COPD may simply be related to how we’re interpreting the research.
One study analysed the disease progression and mortality rates of 190 with stable COPD over 12 years.
The researchers found that after they considered other factors influencing this relationship, such as fitness levels, patients with lower BMI had better survival rates, “In fact, when these variables were considered in the survival analysis, patients with lower BMI tended to have better survival.”
How does Mounjaro affect COPD?
Recent research suggests that medications like Mounjaro might benefit people with COPD through several mechanisms.
However, it’s important to note that specific studies on Mounjaro use in COPD patients are limited, and our understanding comes from broader research on similar medications and their effects on respiratory conditions.
Potential benefits for COPD patients
The potential benefits of Mounjaro for COPD patients with obesity are multifaceted:
Anti-inflammatory effects: GLP-1 receptor agonists have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in the airways. This effect could help reduce the chronic inflammation characteristic of COPD, though more research is needed to confirm this benefit.
Metabolic improvements: Mounjaro helps regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. This improvement might particularly benefit COPD patients with obesity, who often experience metabolic comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension.
Weight management benefits: By supporting weight loss in people with higher BMIs, Mounjaro can help reduce the mechanical load on the respiratory system. This might be especially beneficial for patients with mild to moderate COPD, where obesity is more prevalent and can significantly impact breathing mechanics.
Understanding this complex relationship has important implications for weight management in COPD.
The impact of weight on COPD outcomes varies with disease severity. While weight loss might benefit some patients with mild to moderate COPD, maintaining adequate weight becomes increasingly essential in severe disease.
Treatment decisions must consider multiple factors, including muscle mass, exercise capacity, and existing comorbidities – not just BMI alone.
Any weight management strategy should focus on preserving muscle mass while managing fat tissue rather than pursuing weight loss at any cost.
Things to consider before taking Mounjaro with COPD
If you’re going to take Mounjaro with COPD, it’s essential to:
- Continue all prescribed COPD medications
- Monitor your breathing symptoms regularly
- Maintain open communication with your healthcare team
- Report any new or worsening symptoms
Tips for taking Mounjaro with COPD
Mounjaro should be viewed as a tool to kickstart weight loss while developing healthier habits to maintain weight loss and better health in the long term.
Here are our top tips while on Mounjaro if you have COPD:
- Nutrition: Eat regular meals based on whole foods, ensuring adequate protein intake to maintain muscle mass and support respiratory function. Include anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, colourful vegetables, and olive oil.
- Physical activity: Regular, appropriate exercise can help maintain lung function and overall fitness.
- Sleep quality: Prioritise good sleep habits, as quality rest helps manage inflammation and supports overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours per night.
- Healthcare support: Ensure all your healthcare providers, including your respiratory consultant and GP, know your medications and can coordinate your care effectively.
Take home message
While Mounjaro shows promise for people living with both COPD and higher weight, it’s essential to approach treatment as part of a comprehensive health strategy that includes proper COPD management and healthy lifestyle habits.
The medication appears to offer benefits beyond weight loss, including potential improvements in inflammation and metabolic health.
Second Nature’s medication programmes
Second Nature has two medication-supported programmes: a Wegovy weight-loss programme and a Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers if you’ve decided to try Mounjaro or Wegovy (assuming you’re eligible)?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programmes are private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
