GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Linked to Slightly Increased Risk of Smell and Taste Disturbances: JAMA
Israel: An analysis of electronic health record data found that adults with type 2 diabetes who used GLP-1 receptor agonists had a higher risk of developing smell and taste disturbances over two years compared with non-users. Reported smell disorders included anosmia (loss of smell) and parosmia (distorted smell), while taste disorders primarily involved parageusia (distorted taste). However, the absolute increase in risk was very small, indicating that these adverse effects remain uncommon.
The study identified cases using ICD diagnostic codes, which are often based on patient-reported symptoms rather than objective testing, limiting the certainty of the findings. Overall, while the study suggests a possible association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and sensory disturbances, further research using standardized objective assessments is needed to confirm this relationship.
Published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, this large retrospective cohort study by Jonathan Zontag and Nir Zontag from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, evaluated whether long-term use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) is associated with an increased risk of smell and taste disturbances.
The researchers analyzed electronic health records from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, including adults with type 2 diabetes and no prior history of smell or taste disorders. After propensity score matching, 438,474 patients receiving GLP-1 RAs were compared with an equal number of matched patients treated with other antidiabetic medications. Participants were followed for up to two years after treatment initiation.
The study led to the following findings:
- Patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists had a 48% higher risk of developing new smell or taste disturbances than matched controls (HR 1.48).
- GLP-1 receptor agonist use was associated with an 81% higher risk of smell disturbances (HR 1.81).
- The risk of taste disturbances was 52% higher among GLP-1 receptor agonist users compared with non-users (HR 1.52).
- The increased risk of smell and taste disturbances remained consistent throughout the follow-up period, from 3 months to 2 years after treatment initiation.
- Despite the higher relative risk, the absolute number of smell and taste disturbance cases was low, indicating that these adverse events remain uncommon.
- Smell and taste disturbances were identified using ICD diagnostic codes rather than standardized objective testing, raising the possibility of underreporting or misclassification of cases.
The researchers concluded that GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy may be associated with a modest increase in the risk of smell and taste disturbances. They recommend that clinicians remain aware of these potential sensory changes while prescribing these medications and encourage future studies using objective assessment methods to better understand the underlying mechanisms and confirm the observed association.
Reference:
Zontag J, Zontag N. Smell and Taste Disturbances Among Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online June 25, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2026.1498
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