Is Zepbound® the New Hope for Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring—it’s a serious condition that affects one’s quality of life.

People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, which can lead to poor sleep, low oxygen levels, and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. For those with obesity, the risk of OSA is even higher because excess weight can put extra pressure on the airway, making it harder to breathe during sleep.

Current treatments like CPAP machines and weight-loss programs work for some people, but many find them challenging to stick with. That’s where the new medication Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) by Eli Lilly and Company may offer a breakthrough.

A June 2024 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that tirzepatide, a drug already used to treat obesity and diabetes, might also significantly improve OSA. In this blog, we’ll explore the details of this exciting development and what it means for people living with this condition.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA happens when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly. These interruptions can last for seconds to minutes, and they may occur dozens of times an hour. The severity of OSA is often measured using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which counts the number of breathing interruptions per hour.

Common symptoms of OSA include loud snoring, tiredness during the day, difficulty focusing, and morning headaches.

OSA isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a grave health risk. Without treatment, it can increase the chance of developing life-threatening conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.

What is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide, more widely known by the brand name Zepbound®, is a medication that helps people lose weight by reducing appetite and improving how the body processes insulin. It targets two key hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which play a role in regulating hunger and blood sugar. Because excess weight is one of the biggest risk factors for OSA, researchers wanted to see if tirzepatide’s weight-loss effects could also reduce the severity of sleep apnea.

About The Tirzepatide OSA Study

To test tirzepatide, researchers conducted two large clinical trials. These trials included adults with moderate-to-severe OSA and obesity, divided into two groups. Trial 1 had participants who were not using CPAP machines. Meanwhile, Trial 2 had participants who were already using CPAP machines.

In each trial, participants were randomly assigned to take either Zepbound® or tirzepatide (at a dose of 10 mg or 15 mg) or a placebo for 52 weeks. Researchers then measured the following:

• AHI or how many times participants stopped or reduced their breathing during an hour of sleep.
• Weight loss or how much weight participants lost during the study.
• Other health markers, including oxygen levels during sleep, blood pressure, and inflammation levels.

Zepbound® Sleep Apnea Study Results

The results of the study were striking. Tirzepatide significantly reduced the severity of OSA and provided additional health benefits:

Fewer Breathing Interruptions

• In Trial 1 (no CPAP), people taking tirzepatide reduced their AHI by an average of 25.3 events per hour, compared to only 5.3 events per hour in the placebo group.
• In Trial 2 (with CPAP), the reduction was even greater: 29.3 events per hour with tirzepatide versus 5.5 events per hour with placebo. These reductions mean that people had far fewer interruptions in breathing, leading to better sleep.

Significant Weight Loss
Tirzepatide helped participants lose a substantial amount of weight, which is critical because losing weight can often improve or even resolve OSA.

Improved Oxygen Levels
The medication reduced the amount of time participants spent in a low-oxygen state during sleep (called hypoxic burden), which is crucial for overall health.

Other Health Benefits
Tirzepatide also lowered blood pressure and reduced inflammation, as measured by a marker called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). These changes suggest it could also lower the risk of heart disease.

Better Sleep Quality
People taking tirzepatide reported sleeping better and feeling less tired during the day, which can make a big difference in their quality of life.

Why The Zepbound® OSA Study Matters

These findings are exciting for several reasons.

1. A New Option for Treating OSA
   For people who can’t tolerate CPAP machines or want a different approach, tirzepatide may offer hope. Unlike CPAP, which only manages symptoms, this drug addresses one of the root causes of OSA: excess weight.
2. Broader Health Benefits
   Because tirzepatide also improves blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and promotes weight loss, it could help with other obesity-related conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
3. Improved Quality of Life
   People with OSA often feel exhausted and struggle with concentration and mood. By improving the underlying OSA and thus sleep quality, tirzepatide could help them feel more energized and focused overall.

Role of Weight Loss in OSA Treatment

Weight loss is a cornerstone of OSA treatment because it directly reduces the pressure on the airway. Even a modest amount of weight loss can lead to significant improvements in OSA symptoms. However, losing weight through diet and exercise alone can be difficult, especially for people with severe obesity.

Medications like tirzepatide can make weight loss more achievable, giving people the momentum they need to adopt healthier habits and maintain long-term improvements.

Side Effects and Safety of Zepbound®

Like any medication, tirzepatide can cause side effects. The most common ones reported in the study were mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea or diarrhea. These side effects were generally manageable and tended to improve over time.

If you’re considering tirzepatide, it’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor to see if it’s the right option for you.

What’s Next for Tirzepatide?

While these results are promising, more research is needed to fully understand how tirzepatide fits into the broader picture of OSA treatment. Questions for future studies include the following:

• How effective is tirzepatide in the long term, beyond 52 weeks?
• Can it be used alongside CPAP therapy to enhance results?
• How does it perform in people with mild OSA or those who aren’t obese?

As researchers continue to explore these questions, tirzepatide could become an essential tool for managing OSA.

Welcoming Zepbound® for Sleep Apnea Treatment

For people with obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, Zepbound® (tirzepatide) offers new hope. By reducing breathing interruptions, improving sleep quality, and addressing the root cause—excess weight—this medication has the potential to transform lives. It’s not just about better sleep; it’s about better health and well-being.

If you or someone you know struggles with sleep apnea, stay informed about emerging medications as well as proven treatments like BiPAP. Talk to a sleep expert at nightly to explore your options and find the best plan for managing your condition.

The future of sleep apnea treatment is looking brighter, and Zepbound® may be leading the way. Take the first step to better sleep today by availing our free online sleep assessment!