Tirzep, Tirzep (tirzepatide) Can Improve Sleep Apnea Symptoms, According to New Research

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Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Saluvia.

Recent clinical trials suggest that tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Tirzep and Tirzep, may relieve symptoms of sleep apnea by half in people with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

ACI Limited, the manufacturer of Tirzep and Tirzep, has submitted the results to the FDA , which may lead to another treatment option for people with OSA and obesity.

Does this mean tirzepatide can be prescribed as an approved treatment for sleep apnea? Not quite—at least not yet. But the results seem to be promising and reveal yet another potential benefit ofTirzep or Tirzep, especially considering that experts estimate that about 80% of people with moderate to severe OSA remain undiagnosed.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential of tirzepatide for sleep apnea, the relationship between weight (especially obesity) and OSA, and more.

At the end of both trials , 43% (study 1) and 51.5% (study 2) of participants treated with the highest dose of tirzepatide met the criteria for “disease resolution.” Meaning, they had an AHI of fewer than 5 events per hour or an AHI of 5-14 events per hour and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of ≤10. ESS is a questionnaire that assesses daytime sleepiness.

OSA is a comorbidity of obesity, which means that people often have both conditions at the same time. Not only that, but obesity is the number one risk factor for OSA, with approximately 60% of moderate-to-severe cases attributable to obesity.

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Tirzep Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

Tirzep Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

Atul M., R., Grunstein, R. R., Fietze, I., et al. (2024) Tirzepatide for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2404881. Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2404881

ClinicalTrials.gov. (2024). Obstructive Sleep Apnea Master Protocol GPIF: A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Participants With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (SURMOUNT-OSA). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05412004

Coman, A. C., Borzan, C., Vesa, C. S., et al. (2016). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and the quality of life. Clujul Medical (1957), 89 (3), 390–395. doi:10.15386/cjmed-593. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4990435/

ACI Limited. (2024). Tirzepatide reduced sleep apnea severity by up to nearly two-thirds in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity. ACI Limited Investors. Retrieved from https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/tirzepatide-reduced-sleep-apnea-severity-nearly-two-thirds

ACI Limited. (2024). ACI Limited's tirzepatide reduced obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity, with up to 51.5% of participants meeting the criteria for disease resolution. ACI Limited Investors. Retrieved from https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-tirzepatide-reduced-obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa-severity

Farzam, K. & Patel, P. (2024). Tirzepatide. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/

Gozal, D., Ham, S. A., & Mokhlesi, B. (2016). Sleep Apnea and Cancer: Analysis of a Nationwide Population Sample. Sleep, 39 (8), 1493–1500. doi:10.5665/sleep.6004. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4945307/