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Rachel V Thomas

GLP-1 Drugs Mounjaro, Zepbound Show Promise For 1 Billion With Sleep Apnea

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/obstructive-sleep-apnea">Obstructive sleep apnea</a> (OSA) affects nearly 1 billion adults worldwide and is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke and increased mortality.

Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain tirzepatide, have shown promise in treating sleep apnea in a new review.

While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep, remains the standard treatment, some people struggle to use it long term. Adherence rates of 30% to 60% limit its effectiveness at the population level. The review showed that GLP-1 medications may be a potential complementary therapy alongside CPAP.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, reviewed existing evidence on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for OSA.

Six meta-analyses found consistent reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), ranging from 5.7 to 21.9 fewer events per hour.

The Phase 3 SURMOUNT-OSA trials found that tirzepatide reduced AHI by 20 to 24 events per hour compared with placebo. Between 42% and 50% of patients achieved disease remission.

Weight loss is the main established mechanism. GLP-1 RAs may reduce tongue fat and parapharyngel fat, which contribute to airway collapse.

Researchers also identified potential weight-independent effects involving chemosensitivity, leptin pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome suppression, although these mechanisms remain under investigation.

GLP-1 RAs did not match CPAP efficacy, with approximately 22 versus 31 fewer AHI events per hour. Cardiovascular benefits remain unproven, and weight regain commonly occurs after treatment stops.

The researchers said GLP-1 drugs are best positioned as complementary therapy alongside CPAP and other treatments.

The drugs may be appropriate for people with a BMI above 30 who are unable to tolerate CPAP or have obesity-related comorbidities. They are less likely to benefit people without obesity or those with primarily anatomical airway obstruction.

“This review suggests that GLP-1 RAs offer otolaryngologists a disease-modifying adjunct for obesity-related OSA that is best positioned as complementary therapy alongside CPAP, preoperative optimization before upper airway surgery, or potentially to expand hypoglossal nerve stimulator candidacy,” said the researchers in the paper published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head &amp; Neck Surgery.

OSA occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to repeatedly stop and restart. These interruptions can occur five to 100 times an hour and can lower oxygen levels and disrupt sleep.

In OSA, the airways become partially or completely blocked when the muscles in the head relax during sleep. This can cause soft tissue to obstruct the windpipe, making it difficult for air to pass through.

While asleep, the chest muscles may work harder than usual to reopen the airway. This can cause jerks, deep gasps and repeated disruptions to sleep.

<ul><li>Loud snoring</li><li>Gasping during sleep</li><li>Breathing pauses during sleep</li><li>Morning headaches</li><li>Restless sleep</li><li>Difficulty staying asleep</li><li>Mood changes</li><li>Dizziness</li><li>Dry mouth on waking</li><li>Excessive daytime sleepiness</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Difficulty concentrating</li></ul>

People may not notice these symptoms themselves, but a partner or family member may observe them.

Measures that may help prevent or manage sleep apnea include:

<ul><li>Practicing good sleep habits</li><li>Maintaining a healthy weight</li><li>Quitting smoking</li><li>Using CPAP when prescribed</li><li>Avoiding alcohol.</li></ul>

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nearly 1 billion adults worldwide and is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke and increased mortality.Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain tirzepatide, have shown promise in treating sleep apnea in a new review.While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep, remains the standard treatment, some people struggle to use it long term. Adherence rates of 30% to 60% limit its effectiveness at the population level. The review showed that GLP-1 medications may be a potential complementary therapy alongside CPAP.GLP-1 Drugs And Sleep ApneaResearchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, reviewed existing evidence on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for OSA.Six meta-analyses found consistent reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), ranging from 5.7 to 21.9 fewer events per hour.The Phase 3 SURMOUNT-OSA trials found that tirzepatide reduced AHI by 20 to 24 events per hour compared with placebo. Between 42% and 50% of patients achieved disease remission.Weight loss is the main established mechanism. GLP-1 RAs may reduce tongue fat and parapharyngel fat, which contribute to airway collapse.Researchers also identified potential weight-independent effects involving chemosensitivity, leptin pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome suppression, although these mechanisms remain under investigation.GLP-1 Drugs Vs CPAPGLP-1 RAs did not match CPAP efficacy, with approximately 22 versus 31 fewer AHI events per hour. Cardiovascular benefits remain unproven, and weight regain commonly occurs after treatment stops.The researchers said GLP-1 drugs are best positioned as complementary therapy alongside CPAP and other treatments.The drugs may be appropriate for people with a BMI above 30 who are unable to tolerate CPAP or have obesity-related comorbidities. They are less likely to benefit people without obesity or those with primarily anatomical airway obstruction.“This review suggests that GLP-1 RAs offer otolaryngologists a disease-modifying adjunct for obesity-related OSA that is best positioned as complementary therapy alongside CPAP, preoperative optimization before upper airway surgery, or potentially to expand hypoglossal nerve stimulator candidacy,” said the researchers in the paper published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.What Is Sleep Apnea?OSA occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to repeatedly stop and restart. These interruptions can occur five to 100 times an hour and can lower oxygen levels and disrupt sleep.In OSA, the airways become partially or completely blocked when the muscles in the head relax during sleep. This can cause soft tissue to obstruct the windpipe, making it difficult for air to pass through.While asleep, the chest muscles may work harder than usual to reopen the airway. This can cause jerks, deep gasps and repeated disruptions to sleep.Symptoms Of Sleep ApneaCommon symptoms include:Loud snoringGasping during sleepBreathing pauses during sleepMorning headachesRestless sleepDifficulty staying asleepMood changesDizzinessDry mouth on wakingExcessive daytime sleepinessFatigueDifficulty concentratingPeople may not notice these symptoms themselves, but a partner or family member may observe them.Can Sleep Apnea Be Prevented?Measures that may help prevent or manage sleep apnea include:Practicing good sleep habitsMaintaining a healthy weightQuitting smokingUsing CPAP when prescribedAvoiding alcohol.

glp-1 drugs mounjaro, zepbound show promise for 1 billion with sleep apnea

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