Can GLP-1 receptor agonists affect the sense of smell or taste?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been increasingly used over the last decade to control blood glucose and help with weight management. Various adverse events have been reported among GLP-1 receptor agonist users, but little is known about the potential impact of these medications on smell and taste perception.1To examine this issue, researchers evaluated the association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and the occurrence of smell and taste disturbances. The large-scale, multicentre, retrospective cohort study used electronic health records from a large electronic health records database (TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, encompassing 171 healthcare institutions worldwide) from December 2017 to April 2026, with follow-up for up to two years after GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment initiation.1 Patients (age ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with no record of smell or taste disturbances were divided into two groups. The control group was comprised of patients prescribed medications for type 2 diabetes without any GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure. The exposure group consisted of patients who received a GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription after their first recorded diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Propensity score matching was applied to balance demographic, clinical and socioeconomic differences.1The primary outcome was incident (new) smell and taste disturbances, identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, assessed overall and separately during a follow-up period of three months to two years. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression analyses to evaluate the risk of incident cases.1Key results:After matching, each cohort included 438,474 patients (GLP-1 receptor agonist group mean age, 57.7 years, 54.9% female; control group mean age, 57.6 years, 56.0% female). Patients with documented GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy had an increased risk of overall smell and taste disturbances (HR, 1.48; 95%CI, 1.37–1.61) compared with matched control patients. When stratified by outcome, GLP-1 receptor agonist use was associated with a higher risk of smell disturbances (HR, 1.81; 95%CI, 1.58–2.07) and taste disturbances (HR, 1.52; 95%CI, 1.35–1.71). These findings were consistent throughout the follow-up period.1This study suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with a clinically meaningful higher risk of smell and taste disturbances. This highlights the need for closer monitoring for this potential adverse effect and greater awareness among healthcare professionals and patients of its possible occurrence. The authors note that future research is required to validate their findings, investigate management strategies and further explore the mechanisms underlying this association.1An accompanying commentary points out that in light of these new study findings, clinicians must ask directed questions about baseline sensory ability for patients being prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. These questions should include a subjective assessment of smell and taste, documentation of risk factors, and counselling about thepotential risk of smell loss. For example, clinicians should consider using validated smell testing such as the Smell Identification Test in patients at higher risk and reevaluating risk–benefit in patients who experience olfactory loss. For patients who develop olfactory dysfunction, referral to an otolaryngologist may be helpful to assess the patient for other possible causes. Prospective studies with baseline smell testing are also warranted, along with dose-response and duration-response analyses in patients receiving specific GLP-1 receptor agonists.2References:Zontag J, Zontag N. Smell and taste disturbances among glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist users. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2026; Published online June 25, 2026. (accessed June 26, 2026).Riley CA, McCoul ED. Weight loss at a cost—sense and sensibility. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2026; Published online June 25, 2026. (accessed June 26, 2026).

Can GLP-1 receptor agonists affect the sense of smell or taste?

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