Experimental weekly weight-loss shot significantly eases sleep apnea

An experimental once-weekly weight-loss injection greatly reduced breathing pauses during sleep in two advanced clinical trials, pointing to a potential new way to treat sleep apnea in people with overweight or obesity.

The drug, retatrutide, targets three hormone receptors tied to appetite, blood sugar and energy use. It is being investigated as a treatment for obesity and related conditions.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked or narrowed during sleep. These episodes can reduce oxygen levels, disturb rest and raise the risk of longer-term health problems.

Researchers examined retatrutide in two phase 3 studies involving adults with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. One study included participants with type 2 diabetes, while the other involved people without diabetes.

Participants were given weekly injections of one of three retatrutide doses or a placebo. They were monitored for 80 weeks, with breathing interruptions tracked through overnight sleep tests.

All three doses worked better than placebo. At the higher doses, participants had about 25 fewer breathing interruptions per hour, compared with roughly 10 fewer in the placebo group.

In a separate treatment approach being studied, pills are under investigation as possible alternatives to CPAP masks for sleep apnea.

Among those on the higher doses, about 39% to 52% reached the point of having no or only mild sleep apnea without excessive daytime sleepiness. In the placebo groups, the comparable rate was around 13%.

The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They add to evidence that treating excess body weight can also improve breathing problems associated with obesity.

Retatrutide acts on GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. These signals affect feelings of fullness, blood sugar control and energy expenditure, though the drug’s impact on sleep apnea likely reflects several linked changes.

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, remains a standard treatment for sleep apnea. A mask delivers pressurized air to help keep the airway open, but some people struggle to use it consistently.

The researchers measured breathing disruptions with a sleep assessment rather than relying only on participants’ own reports.

That matters because better sleepiness scores do not always line up with changes in nighttime breathing. The trials also tested different doses, letting researchers see whether stronger doses had a bigger effect. Whether the benefits continue after treatment ends is still unknown.

The studies do not show that retatrutide should replace CPAP for everyone. Participants met specific eligibility criteria, and the findings come from an experimental medicine studied under controlled conditions.

Further evaluation will be needed to assess long-term safety, access and treatment decisions. Even so, the improvements in breathing and daytime symptoms suggest that weight-focused therapy could become another option for some people with sleep apnea.

For broader related reading, please see articles about Vitamin B linked to lower obesity risk in middle-aged and older people, and Best and worst foods for weight loss.

For more related background, please read articles about Muscle meals: the best and worst foods for strength, and Best and worst diets for obesity, according to science.

Source: Medical Xpress.