A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has revealed the first effective drug therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is asleep-related disorder. They have found that a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes known as tirzepatide is effective in treating people with OSA.
This study was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In this study, researchers involved 469 individuals from nine countries. These people were obese an had moderate to severe OSA. This study was two Phase III, randomized controlled and double-blind trial. These participants either used or did not use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. It is a common sleep apnea treatment. These participants were also given 10 or 15 mg of tirzepatide by injection or a placebo. Then researchers checked the effect of tirzepatide after 52 weeks.
When researchers observed the results, they found that Participants who took tirzepatide showed significant improvement as compared to those who took a placebo. Tirzepatide effectively reduced the number of breathing interruptions during sleep. It is a very important factor that shows the severity of OSA. Researchers also found that some of them reached a certain point where they did not need CPAP therapy. This clearly shows that this drug therapy is very effective and beneficial as it targets both conditions.
Researchers also found that this drug therapy effectively improved some other aspects that are related to OSA. It also reduced the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and improved body weight. But this therapy showed some side effects like mild stomach issues. This was the most common side effect of this therapy.
One of the researchers said that the use of tirzepatide is a very important advancement in the field. In this study, researchers have found a treatment that includes CPAP therapy and weight loss, and it effectively reduces the cardiometabolic risk and symptoms. Tirzepatide can also target specific underlying mechanisms of sleep apnea that can make treatment more personalized and effective.
This drug therapy is very important as around 936 million people in the world are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Healthcare professionals should consider this drug therapy to treat people with OSA and obesity.
Experts think there is a need for further research to understand the long-term effects of Tirzepatide.
Reference Link:
New England Journal of Medicine (2024).
