Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacologyJan 13, 2025

GLP-1 receptor agonists as potential treatments for obstructive sleep apnea

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with repeated episodes of airway obstruction during sleep, leading to negative impacts on health.

OSA is marked by intermittent hypoxia and fragmented sleep.
Obesity is a significant modifiable risk factor for OSA, contributing to airway collapse.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the standard treatment, but patient adherence is often an issue.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are known to reduce body weight and improve metabolic health.
Emerging evidence suggests GLP-1 RAs may help manage OSA by addressing obesity.

Simplified

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder marked by repeated episodes of partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep, which leads to intermittent hypoxia and fragmented sleep. These disruptions negatively impact cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and overall quality of life. Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for OSA, as it contributes to both anatomical and physiological mechanisms that increase the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the gold standard for OSA treatment, its limitations - particularly issues with patient adherence - underscore the need for alternative or adjunct therapeutic options. One such option is the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which are widely recognized for their ability to reduce body weight and improve metabolic health. Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1 RAs may offer therapeutic benefits in managing OSA, particularly by addressing obesity, a key contributor to the condition. This narrative review seeks to explore the role of GLP-1 RAs in the treatment of OSA, evaluating their efficacy in reducing OSA severity and discussing their broader clinical implications for future research and practice.

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GLP-1 receptor agonists as potential treatments for obstructive sleep apnea

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