Dual incretin analogue tirzepitide - SURMOUNTing the challenge of obesity induced obstructive sleep apnea

Jan 7, 2026World journal of experimental medicine

Tirzepatide, a dual incretin drug, may help treat obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea

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GLP-1 Therapies on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Tirzepatide is associated with clinically significant reductions in body weight, apnea-hypopnea index, and systemic inflammation.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly linked to obesity.
Traditional treatments for OSA often face adherence challenges.
Emerging evidence suggests tirzepatide could be an effective pharmacologic option for OSA management.
Tirzepatide may improve sleep quality and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
Further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes and integration into clinical guidelines.

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and underdiagnosed sleep disorder strongly associated with obesity. Traditional therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure are effective but often limited by poor adherence. Recent evidence suggests that tirzepatide, a dual glucagon like receptor-1 and glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonist, may offer a pharmacologic approach to OSA management through its weight-reducing and metabolic effects. This narrative review was conducted using a structured search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases for English-language articles published up to May 2024. Keywords included "tirzepatide", "obstructive sleep apnea", "OSA", and "GLP-1 agonist". Clinical trials, systematic reviews, and relevant observational studies focusing on tirzepatide's role in OSA or obesity were included and thematically analyzed. Emerging evidence from the SURMOUNT-OSA and related trials indicates that tirzepatide leads to clinically significant reductions in body weight, apnea-hypopnea index, and systemic inflammation. The drug was found to be effective and also showed additional benefits in sleep quality and cardiovascular risk factors. Tirzepatide represents a promising pharmacologic advancement in the management of obesity-related OSA. By targeting both metabolic and structural contributors to OSA, it may serve as an adjunct or alternative to traditional therapies. Further research is warranted to evaluate long-term outcomes and to define its role in clinical practice guidelines.