A study reveals the effectiveness of terzepatide in treating obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common breathing disorder during sleep. It occurs when the airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, leading to the cessation and return of breathing, and may cause snoring, panting, and frequent awakening.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reviewed the results of two clinical trials that included 469 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

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Participants who received terzepatide lost about a fifth of their weight, and the number of times they stopped breathing decreased by more than 20 times per hour. The results showed that 42 to 50% of them got rid of obstructive sleep apnea, compared to a rate about three times lower among those who received a placebo.

Researchers believe that weight loss is the main factor behind this improvement, as the accumulation of fat around the neck can narrow the airway and make breathing more difficult during sleep.

However, the results do not indicate that terzepatide can replace continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), especially in people with severe cases. The device remains one of the primary treatments for the condition, and has reduced the number of times breathing stops by more than 30 times per hour among its users.

It is also still unclear whether the benefits of terzepatide continue after stopping taking it, in light of the possibility of weight regain. Previous studies have shown that regaining some weight after stopping weight loss medications is common, which may lead to the return of sleep apnea.

The results of the study were published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.