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Weight Loss · article

A new way to improve sleep apnea: weight loss medication

Man sleeping with a CPAP machine, due to obstructive sleep apnea.

Did you know that obesity is the number one cause of obstructive sleep apnea? Although this may come as a surprise, it also may help to know that if your nights are filled with interrupted sleep and loud snoring due to a restricted airway, excess weight may be part of the problem.

Federico Cerrone, MD, sleep specialist and medical director of Atlantic Health System Sleep Centers, cares for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. He explains that a patient’s weight is a critical part of his assessment and frequently included in the treatment plan. Recently, he has started suggesting something new to help patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. It’s a weight loss medication called Zepbound®.

The connection between sleep and weight

Zepbound® is a semaglutide GLP-1 agonist. Simply put, it’s a weight loss medication similar to Ozempic® and Wegovy®. What’s different about Zepbound® is it’s the only weight loss medication that’s FDA-approved for adults with obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.

“Now that we have a weight loss medication approved for use by those with severe sleep apnea, it makes it easier for many patients to become candidates to receive the medication. That’s a win,” says Dr. Cerrone.

He explains that when people gain weight, fat often accumulates in the neck and throat, which can restrict the airway. Losing weight can potentially reduce pressure on the muscles that keep your airway open while you sleep. This can improve—and in some instances eliminate—obstructive sleep apnea.

Combining traditional therapies with weight loss medication

Dr. Cerrone clarifies a very important point: Zepbound® does not directly treat the symptoms of sleep apnea. It helps solely with weight loss, which can improve snoring and fitful sleep patterns. And it can lead to some other health benefits relating to diabetes and heart disease.

“Zepbound® should only be used in combination with other apnea therapies,” says Dr. Cerrone. “Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is still the gold standard. Oral appliances or surgical procedures may also improve sleepless nights. But we never recommend weight loss medication alone for the treatment of sleep apnea.”

Talk to your doctor

If you’re dealing with obstructive sleep apnea, talk to your primary care doctor or visit a sleep specialist. When left untreated, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea can cause serious health problems, so it’s important to understand your treatment options, how GLP-1s work, and their side effects.

“We know that for most people, weight loss plays a critical role in improving their obstructive sleep apnea,” says Dr. Cerrone.

“Losing weight certainly isn’t easy,” he continues. “By the time patients come to us, they’re often frustrated from years of fad diets and weight loss programs. Since weight loss is the best medicine, GLP-1s that are approved for this use have given us a new tool to help a patient’s weight loss efforts in their pursuit to sleep soundly again.”

Published: January 27, 2025

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