Hormonal
Tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, significantly reduces Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) severity (measured by AHI) and improves cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with obesity and moderate-to-severe OSA.
If you have obesity and moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, Tirzepatide is a newly approved medication that can significantly reduce the severity of your apnea (AHI) and improve blood pressure and inflammation. It works primarily by promoting weight loss and potentially affecting brain pathways related to breathing control. Because stopping the drug leads to weight regain, it is likely a long-term treatment. It is not a substitute for PAP therapy in all cases, but it is a powerful new tool, especially for those who struggle with CPAP adherence.
Among patients with OSA in both trials (with and without PAP), tirzepatide yielded reduced AHI, body weight, sleep apnea specific hypoxic burden, hsCRP concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and improved patient reported outcomes.
Why this rating
Based on Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (SURMOUNT-OSA), though long-term cardiovascular hard outcomes are not yet established.
Source
The Potential Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) Receptor Agonists in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity
Charlotte C Ellberg et al. · Current Pulmonology Reports · 2025
DOI 10.1007/s13665-025-00384-1
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