Can Semaglutide (generic name) cause insomnia and bronchitis?

Semaglutide and Its Association with Insomnia and Bronchitis

Semaglutide can cause insomnia as a side effect, but bronchitis is not specifically listed as an adverse effect in current guidelines or drug information. 1

Insomnia and Semaglutide

Evidence for Insomnia

• Insomnia is documented as a side effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, in clinical guidelines 1
• In the FDA-approved drug information, insomnia is listed among the common side effects that patients may experience while taking semaglutide 1
• The risk of insomnia appears to be similar to that seen with other medications in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class 1

Management of Insomnia

• Gradual dose titration of semaglutide may help mitigate side effects, including potential sleep disturbances 1
• Sleep disturbances should be monitored, especially during the initial titration phase of the medication 1
• If insomnia persists and significantly affects quality of life, dose adjustment or alternative medication options may need to be considered 1

Respiratory Effects and Bronchitis

• Current clinical guidelines and drug information do not specifically list bronchitis as a known adverse effect of semaglutide 1
• The most commonly reported adverse effects are gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and esophageal reflux 1, 2
• Comprehensive clinical trials and safety reviews of semaglutide have not identified bronchitis as a significant concern 3
• Respiratory infections were not highlighted in the safety profiles from major clinical trials or post-marketing surveillance 1, 4

Common Side Effects of Semaglutide

Gastrointestinal Effects

• The most frequently reported adverse effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and esophageal reflux 1, 2
• These gastrointestinal effects are typically dose-dependent and may be more pronounced during initial treatment or dose escalation 1
• Gradual dose titration is recommended to minimize these side effects 1

Other Notable Side Effects

• Increased risk of gallbladder disease, including cholelithiasis and cholecystitis 1
• Risk of pancreatitis, though causality has not been definitively established 1, 2
• Potential for acute kidney injury, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney disease 2
• Elevated heart rate 2
• Delayed gastric emptying, which may affect absorption of other medications 1, 2

Serious Adverse Events

• Clinical trials have shown a 38% higher risk of serious adverse events with semaglutide compared to placebo 1
• Specific serious adverse events reported include:
  • Pancreatitis 1, 3
  • Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis 1
  • Acute myocardial infarction 1
  • Gastroenteritis 1
  • Suicidal ideation (rare but reported) 1, 5

Special Considerations

• Semaglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 1
• Patients with diabetes should be monitored for hypoglycemia, especially if taking other glucose-lowering medications 1, 6
• Patients with pre-existing kidney disease require careful monitoring due to potential risk of acute kidney injury 2
• Psychiatric adverse events, though uncommon (reported in only 1.2% of cases), should be monitored, with depression being the most commonly reported psychiatric side effect 5

Conclusion

While insomnia is a recognized side effect of semaglutide, bronchitis is not specifically identified as an adverse effect in current clinical guidelines or drug information. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature, and serious adverse events, though increased compared to placebo, primarily involve pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and cardiovascular events rather than respiratory conditions.