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Tirzepatide improves sleep quality, promotes weight loss, and overall health in overweight people with obstructive sleep apnea.
A novel press release by the FDA in Dec 2024 presented the approval of the trailblazing drug treatment - tirzepatide for managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with obesity. This therapy is particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with a healthy, limited-calorie diet and increased physical activity or exercise. OSA is a sleep-associated breathing disorder. It causes intermittent breathing pauses during sleep due to upper airway blockages, typically observed in obese or overweight individuals.
Tirzepatide works by stimulating the natural hormones of the body (glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide [GIP]). This, in turn, lowers appetite and food intake, boosting weight loss. Research indicates that this weight reduction significantly improves OSA symptoms. Tirzepatide’s approval is based on the results of two pivotal studies involving 469 adults with obesity, excluding diabetes. The participants were randomly delegated to receive either a tirzepatide injection (dosed as 10 mg or 15 mg weekly) or a placebo for 52 weeks.
The studies assessed variations in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) diagnostic scale which gauges breathing disturbances during sleep. Both studies found that tirzepatide led to a momentous decrease in AHI events, with more participants achieving remission or mild OSA than the placebo group. Furthermore, those treated with tirzepatide saw considerable weight loss. Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal distress, and injection site reactions were the commonly observed side effects.
It also carries warnings for more severe concerns (such as pancreas inflammation, gallbladder problems and renal failure). Notably, tirzepatide is not instructed for those with a record of medullary thyroid cancer or hereditary multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Close monitoring of patients is advised, particularly those with a history of kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, or depression. Patients on tirzepatide should notify their physician of upcoming surgeries due to aspiration risks.
FDA News Release
FDA Approves First Medication for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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