A medication approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes that is known for its impact on weight loss may also be the first effective drug therapy for sleep apnea, according to a new study.
“Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and international collaborators have led a worldwide, advanced study demonstrating the potential of tirzepatide, known to manage type 2 diabetes, as the first effective drug therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),” said a press release from the university.
The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention describes sleep apnea as a condition where the airway repeatedly gets blocked during sleep. This causes people with sleep apnea to stop breathing for short amounts of time.
“Sleep apnea can be caused by certain health problems, such as obesity and heart failure,” said the centers. It also affects how much oxygen your body gets while you sleep, which in turn increases the risk of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
While the American Medical Association estimates that 30 million people in the U.S. have sleep apnea, it also estimates that just 6 million are actually diagnosed with the condition.
“This hasn’t improved with the pandemic either with many people experiencing less sleep because of altered life and work routines as well as higher stress levels,” said the AMA. “And with long COVID further exacerbating underlying conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, it is important for patients to understand what is at stake.”
Sleep apnea is often linked with obesity. The University of California San Diego School of Medicine said data suggests that a drug therapy that targets both sleep apnea and obesity is more beneficial than those that treat either condition alone.
According to the university, results of a new study regarding the impact of tirzepatide (sold under the names Mounjaro or Zepbound as manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, which funded the study) were published Friday in the online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. It said they “highlight the treatment’s potential to improve the quality of life for millions around the world affected by OSA.”
“This study marks a significant milestone in the treatment of OSA, offering a promising new therapeutic option that addresses both respiratory and metabolic complications,” said Atul Malhotra, MD, lead author of the study, professor of medicine at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and director of sleep medicine at UC San Diego Health.
This week Audacy reported on an open letter published by Eli Lilly and Company warning against “counterfeit, fake and compounded” versions of its tirzepatide medications. These have been sold at Med Spas and online.
Nearly 470 participants diagnosed with clinical obesity and living with moderate-to-severe OSA participated in the trial covered by the study. Some used continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the most common sleep apnea treatment, and some did not.
“Researchers found that tirzepatide led to a significant decrease in the number of breathing interruptions during sleep, a key indicator used to measure the severity of OSA,” said the University of California San Diego. “This improvement was much greater than what was seen in participants that were given a placebo.”
For some of the patients, the drug was so effective that CPAP therapy may no longer be necessity for them. As for side effects, the most common one reported was mild stomach issues.
“Historically, treating OSA meant using devices during sleep, like a CPAP machine, to alleviate breathing difficulties and symptoms,” Malhotra said. “However, its effectiveness relies on consistent use. This new drug treatment offers a more accessible alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate or adhere to existing therapies. We believe that the combination of CPAP therapy with weight loss will be optimal for improving cardiometabolic risk and symptoms. Tirzepatide can also target specific underlying mechanisms of sleep apnea, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatment.”
Malhotra said the research is a “breakthrough” in treatment for the disorder.
Going forward, clinical trials to examine longer term effects of tirzepatide in this application are needed.