Excessive daytime sleepiness is a key symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although OSA can be a problem for people with a normal body weight, being obese or overweight increases the risk.
Researchers had reason to suspect that a medication used to treat Type II Diabetes and Obesity could also improve OSA in obese patients. This medication is tirzepatide (Zepbound is the brand name for weight loss; Mounjaro is the brand name for Type II Diabetes).
Researchers gave research subjects with obesity and OSA 10-15 mg of tirzepatide or a placebo for 52 weeks. Over half of the subjects taking the active medication, compared with those taking a placebo, had noticeable improvement in the number of apnea episodes (apnea means not breathing) during sleep.
They also lost weight and there was a decrease in systolic blood pressure, decrease in blood CRP (measure of inflammation), and the patients reported improvement in sleep outcomes.
As a result of these favorable outcomes, the manufacturer has applied to the FDA to add OSA as an indication for tirzepatide. What the FDA will decide is unknown.
The research by Malhotra and colleagues was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 21, 2024. It can be accessed by entering this DOI into your search engine:
DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2404881
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
Health and Culture 