Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, found in the popular drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, has shown promising results in treating sleep apnea, according to recent research. This breakthrough could revolutionize the treatment of this common condition, expanding the potential medical benefits of GLP-1 drugs beyond diabetes and weight management.

Sleep apnea is a prevalent disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the body and increasing the risk of serious health issues such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and dementia. The condition can be caused by a blocked airway or improper brain signals for breathing.

Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that tirzepatide significantly reduced breathing interruptions during sleep, particularly in clinically obese individuals with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. The trials, involving 469 patients from multiple countries, compared different tirzepatide doses to placebos over a year. Some patients even showed improvement to the extent of potentially not needing CPAP therapy.

Initial results announced by Lilly indicated that tirzepatide decreased sleep apnea severity by nearly two-thirds. The company plans to submit data to regulatory authorities for approval to include sleep apnea treatment in tirzepatide’s label. If approved, this could mark the first pharmaceutical therapy addressing the root causes of sleep apnea.

This development opens up new possibilities for patients with sleep apnea, offering a potential alternative to traditional CPAP machines and transforming the approach to managing this condition. The research, partly funded by Eli Lilly, presents a significant advancement in the medical community’s understanding and treatment of sleep apnea.