
A new global study led by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has found that tirzepatide—a drug already used for type 2 diabetes—may be the first effective medication to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
This sleep disorder is caused by repeated blockages in the upper airway during sleep, leading to interrupted breathing.
The research, published on June 21, 2024, in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that tirzepatide could improve the lives of millions of people worldwide who suffer from OSA.
“This is a major step forward in treating OSA. This drug not only helps with breathing issues but also with related health problems,” said Dr. Atul Malhotra, lead author of the study and sleep medicine expert at UC San Diego Health.
OSA can lower oxygen levels and raise the risk of heart problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. Around 936 million people worldwide are estimated to have OSA.
In two large clinical trials, researchers studied 469 people with obesity and moderate-to-severe OSA from nine countries. Some participants used CPAP (a common sleep apnea machine), while others did not. They received either tirzepatide (10 or 15 mg) or a placebo for 52 weeks.
The drug significantly reduced the number of times participants stopped breathing during sleep. Some people improved so much that they might no longer need CPAP therapy. Because the drug also promotes weight loss, it targets two major causes of sleep apnea at once.
Tirzepatide also lowered the risk of heart disease and helped people lose weight. The most common side effect was mild stomach discomfort.
“Until now, people relied on devices like CPAP, which only work if used regularly. This new drug gives another option, especially for those who can’t tolerate CPAP,” Malhotra explained. “Combining the drug with CPAP could give the best results.”
Malhotra believes this breakthrough could change how doctors treat OSA.
“It gives hope to people who have struggled with current treatments,” he said. “This drug could completely change the way we manage sleep apnea in people with obesity.”
The researchers plan to continue studying the drug’s long-term effects in future trials.
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The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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