Our content undergoes rigorous expert review, evidence-based research, and regular updates for accuracy.
GLP-1 prescriptions have been used for years to manage obesity and type 2 diabetes with great results. Recently, scientists have examined the benefits of using these medications to reduce the risk and severity of other conditions that arise when obesity goes unchecked.
As a part of these efforts, the FDA has announced the very first drug approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)–an injectable GLP-1 medication called Zepbound® (tirzepatide). This marks an exciting new frontier in managing not just sleep apnea, but other conditions affected by weight loss.
Today our team has partnered with board-certified sleep medicine physician and obesity expert, Dr. Audrey Wells to explain what these medications can (and can’t) do for you.
What you need to know about obesity, sleep apnea, and GLP-1s:
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone that is produced by the gut.
These drugs typically curb appetite, help you feel fuller faster, reduce food cravings, slow digestion, and control blood sugar.
Many who use a GLP-1 prescription over several months experience weight loss, stabilized blood sugar levels, better sleep health, more energy, happier mood, and better health outcomes.
Recent research suggests that GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide can improve conditions that are affected by obesity, including sleep apnea.
What is a GLP-1 medication?
GLP-1 medications mimic the actions of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. This natural hormone is produced by your body and is designed to reduce appetite, reduce food cravings, slow stomach emptying, and aid in regulating your blood sugar.
While older GLP-1 prescriptions have been used to treat type 2 diabetes, newer generations have become a popular option for treating obesity and now obstructive sleep apnea.
“As a sleep and obesity medicine physician, I think GLP-1 medications are a significant therapy option with the potential to address weight challenges that often co-exist with sleep apnea.”
Dr. Audrey Wells, MD
Board Certified Physician
Sleep & Obesity Medicine Expert
Not familiar with GLP-1 medication? No problem!
Before we dive into the benefits of using these medications to manage body weight and improve your sleep health, we’ll take a moment to discuss what these medications are and how they work to stabilize blood sugar and reduce appetite.
The GLP-1 Dictionary
Blood Sugar
Blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose molecules that are in your bloodstream. Your blood sugar level temporarily spikes after eating carbs, but it usually falls back down within a few hours.
Insulin
Insulin lowers blood sugar.
When the amount of sugar in your bloodstream spikes, your pancreas responds by releasing insulin, which tells your cells to start taking in glucose from the blood. Insulin is a hormone that acts as a “key” unlocking the cells’ front door so that glucose can come inside.
Glucagon
Glucagon raises blood sugar levels.
Glucagon is another hormone that is produced by the pancreas. It helps raise blood sugar levels when they drop too low. Glucagon tells the liver to break down stored glucose and release it into the bloodstream.
Glucose
Glucose is the sugar in blood sugar.
When we eat carbs our bodies break those foods down into a type of sugar called glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for the human body. Chronically high levels of glucose can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.
Glycogen
Glycogen is the storage version of glucose.
After eating, our cells take in glucose from the bloodstream and use it to fuel essential activities. Any leftover glucose is then packaged into glycogen molecules so it can be stored in the liver for later.
How do GLP-1 medications work?
When you take a GLP-1 drug, it mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone that is made by your gut. This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating your blood sugar levels, appetite, and digestion. Taking a GLP-1 prescription simply boosts the amount of GLP-1 that your body has to work with by adding a synthetic version to the mix. Here’s how these medications work:
“GLP-1 medications mimic the natural form of the GLP-1 hormone that is produced in the gut, which reduces hunger before meals and enhances satisfaction after eating. These medications also slow stomach emptying and improve blood sugar control.”
Dr. Audrey Wells, MD
Board Certified Physician
Sleep & Obesity Medicine Expert
Dampens food cravings
GLP-1 drugs influence the way your brain sees and responds to food . Normally, when you eat your brain sends a “reward” signal which shapes the anticipation you experience before meals and the satisfaction you feel when you’re full. Over time this system can trigger cravings and create bad eating habits, leading to unhealthy weight gain. GLP-1 medications alter this reward process, so it becomes easier to avoid cravings and eat fewer carb-heavy foods.
Reduces the amount of food you eat
If you make a habit out of overeating, your body can get used to consuming more food than it actually needs. This can lead to feeling hungry more often, even though you need more and more food to feel full. GLP-1 medications alter how your brain deals with hunger and satiety, so you’re satisfied with smaller food portions and able to go longer between meals.
Slows digestion
GLP-1 medications delay digestion , slowing the movement of food as it travels from the stomach and into the small intestines. Delaying gastric emptying not only keeps you feeling full longer, it also slows the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream when you eat. GLP-1 medications help your blood sugar to increase slowly and steadily over time, rather than having it spike suddenly after a meal.
Stimulates insulin secretion
These medications trigger your pancreas to produce insulin and release it into the bloodstream. Once the insulin is released, it acts like a key, allowing glucose to enter your cells. Keeping your blood sugar level within normal ranges.
Limits glucagon secretion
Glucagon works opposite insulin. So instead of lowering blood sugar, it raises glucose levels when they become too low. Glucagon is released when your blood sugar count is low and you need extra energy. GLP-1 agonists limit glucagon release, keeping your blood sugar from getting too high between meals.
Did You Know?
Obesity is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. According to the famous Wisconsin Cohort Sleep Study , a 10% weight gain resulted in a 32% increase in participants’ AHI scores, plus they were also 6 times more likely to develop moderate to severe OSA.
Benefits of a GLP-1 prescription for people with weight-related sleep apnea
If you are living with obstructive sleep apnea that has been compounded by weight gain and/or obesity, it’s important to prioritize improving your sleep health using multiple strategies. When used correctly, CPAP therapy is still the most effective treatment for OSA, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. Addressing underlying causes is key.
As for those who struggle to use their CPAP machine, finding other solutions to keep your sleep apnea in check is essential, since going untreated (or undertreated) can lead to serious long-term health concerns.
Doctors often suggest a combination of treatment plans. These can include oral devices, nerve stimulators, surgical correction, lifestyle changes, positional aids, and in some cases, medication.
Let’s see what adding a GLP-1 to your tool kit can do for you!
“Untreated sleep apnea can also contribute to weight gain, creating a cycle where obesity and OSA worsen each other. Reducing obesity, even modestly, can improve OSA for many people and, in some cases, resolve it entirely. GLP-1 medications can help break this cycle by promoting weight loss, which may lead to better sleep and overall health.”
Dr. Audrey Wells, MD
Board Certified Physician
Sleep & Obesity Medicine Expert
#1: Effective weight loss
Sleep apnea and body weight have a two-way relationship, and losing weight can improve many cases of sleep apnea when obesity is a factor. The American Thoracic Society states that losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight can reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.
GLP-1 medications make it easier to lose weight by curbing appetite, reducing cravings, and slowing stomach emptying. This, coupled with better blood glucose levels, can make it easier to reach your weight loss goals. By addressing this issue, these treatments not only help with sleep apnea but also boost your physical and mental health.
Science Says
Novo Nordisk A/S released a large-scale report examining the effects of taking Wegovy, a GLP-1 drug that contains semaglutide, for about 16 months. Researchers found that people who took this medication:
Lost an average of 15% of their total body weight
1 in 3 participants lost 20%.
#2: Improved sleep apnea
When repeated airway blockages trigger an obstructive sleep apnea episode, it disrupts your sleep quality and, in some cases, causes your blood oxygen levels to dip. To measure the severity of your sleep apnea, healthcare providers calculate the average number of breathing disruptions you experience per hour of sleep–also known as your AHI score.
For those who are overweight, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that losing weight may help lower your AHI score. This means fewer airway obstructions, more stable breathing, fewer drops in blood oxygen, and overall better sleep quality.
Science Says
Under the right circumstances, certain GLP-1 drugs (like tirzepatide) have been shown to improve OSA significantly. For example, after taking tirzepatide for one year a group of research participants who had OSA and practiced healthy lifestyle habits saw:
AHI scores fell by 50.7% with tirzepatide alone
- AHI scores fell by 58.7% with tirzepatide and CPAP therapy
#3: Lower blood sugar
Sleep apnea can negatively impact your blood sugar levels, as disrupted sleep can hurt your body’s ability to regulate glucose . Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance , a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Poor blood sugar control can worsen inflammation and metabolic health, potentially worsening sleep apnea symptoms.
As we’ve discussed, GLP-1s help regulate blood sugar by boosting insulin levels and reducing the release of glucagon. When glucose levels remain stable, it promotes better sleep health because it minimizes blood sugar spikes and other effects that can disturb your sleep cycle.
Science Says
A 2022 study found that people with prediabetes who took 2.4 mg of semaglutide once weekly for 68 weeks had a higher chance of developing healthy blood sugar.
70.4% who took semaglutide returned to normal blood sugar health
47.8% who took a placebo returned to normal blood sugar health
#4: Increased energy and productivity
Feeling exhausted is a common symptom when your sleep apnea is not under control, as frequent sleep disturbances prevent the body and brain from resting, repairing, and restoring itself. These effects are complicated by obesity, which has been known to affect sleep quality on its own.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for bad sleep to make an impact. It’s estimated that people with OSA are 2.5 times more likely to be in a car accident due to sleepiness and brain fog.
By reducing AHI, improving your sleep quality, and lowering body mass, GLP-1s may:
Restore energy levels
Promote a more positive mood
Clear brain fog
Boost productivity
Having more energy makes it a whole lot easier to stay motivated throughout your health journey, empowering you to make lifestyle changes, engage in physical activity, and follow a healthy diet. So even when challenges arise, you feel more focused and better prepared to tackle the issues head-on.
Science Says
Obesity and sleep apnea are both known to make people feel low on energy, but weight loss can help. A 2015 report found that:
Obesity doubled chances of experiencing daytime sleepiness
Participants who lost weight were 2.5 times more likely to see their sleepiness go away
#5: Fewer health risks
Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your sleep quality, quantity, and timing. Having sleep apnea means losing out on a significant amount of deep sleep that your body needs to rest and recover. Add to that the dips in blood oxygen levels and you’re looking at a significant risk for health issues.
And when you combine OSA with obesity, those odds multiply, leading to long-term health consequences (and even a shortened lifespan) if left untreated. Both conditions have been linked to many of the top 10 causes of death in the USA, including:
Heart disease
Stroke
High blood pressure
Cancer
Diabetes
Reducing the strain on your body and improving overall health creates a strong foundation for long-term wellness, including better sleep health.
Science Says
As body weight decreases, the likelihood of developing a chronic illness drops significantly with one report seeing significantly fewer cases of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease for people with type 2 diabetes.
Reduced risk for kidney problems by 18%
Lowered risk of major cardiovascular events by 13%
Reduced risk of death by 12%
Is a GLP-1 prescription right for you?
Like CPAP therapy, GLP-1 medications work best when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, such as improved diet, regular exercise, and good sleep habits. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting treatment.
GLP-1 Pros ✅
✔ Works for a lot of people
✔ Very effective
✔ Improves your metabolic health
✔ Simple to use
✔ Can be prescribed through telehealth
✔ Lowers risk of long-term health issues
✔ Can be used with other treatments
✔ Well tolerated by most people
✔ Readily available
✔ Variety of medication options
GLP-1 Cons ⛔
✘ May not work for everyone
✘ Potential for unpleasant side effects
✘ Can be very expensive
✘ Some versions have to be injected
✘ Must keep taking it to maintain the effects
✘ Requires lifestyle change for full results
Requirements for a GLP-1 prescription
Each GLP-1 prescription has its own requirements, depending on whether it is approved to treat just type 2 diabetes, obesity, or sleep apnea.
If you are interested in trying one of these medications for yourself, you typically need to have a BMI of at least 30 and a doctor will need to confirm your eligibility. In some cases, folks who have obesity-related sleep apnea or other weight-related conditions may be approved with a BMI of 27 or more.
GLP-1 contraindications
These medications are not recommended if you have:
Family history of medullary thyroid cancer
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome
Gastroparesis
Pancreatitis
Kidney disease
Poor kidney function
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Type 1 diabetes
Diabetic ketoacoidosis
Previous or current eating disorder
Cost of GLP-1 treatments
Cost is considered one of the biggest downsides of GLP-1 therapy. Without insurance, name-brand medications can run as high as a couple thousand dollars each month. While having health insurance certainly helps, that isn’t an option for everyone and coverage differs from plan to plan.
The good news? Low-cost options are available!
Recently, online pharmacies have begun offering their own compounded GLP-1 medications for a lower price. Some of these places even offer a virtual consultation with a healthcare provider, so you can complete your appointment, get a prescription, and order your medications at your convenience.
Frequently asked questions
Can GLP-1 medications cure sleep apnea?
GLP-1 medications cannot totally eliminate or cure sleep apnea. While they can help reduce the severity of obesity-related sleep apnea, they don’t address all the factors contributing to the diagnosis. However, in the right circumstances, GLP-1s can be used to complement and boost the effects of CPAP therapy, making it easier to manage symptoms effectively.
How long does it take to see results with GLP-1 medications?
The timeline for seeing results with your GLP-1 prescription varies depending on your health, history, medication type, and dosage.
Are these medications safe for people with sleep apnea?
Yes, GLP-1 medications are generally safe for people with sleep apnea, but it’s important to speak with your healthcare team before trying one. Keep in mind that they may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal discomfort. It’s essential to discuss your medical history and potential risks with your doctor, especially if you have other conditions like gastroparesis or thyroid disorders.
Can I stop CPAP therapy after losing weight with a GLP-1 medication?
Not necessarily. While weight loss from GLP-1 medications can reduce the severity of OSA and improve symptoms, body weight is often only one contributing factor. This means you could still require CPAP therapy to manage the number of sleep apnea episodes that remain. Your healthcare provider will assess your sleep apnea after weight loss to determine whether you can safely stop using your CPAP machine.
Does starting a GLP-1 mean I can stop using my CPAP machine?
Starting a GLP-1 medication is not a replacement for CPAP therapy. GLP-1s target underlying causes like obesity but don’t directly treat the airway blockages that cause OSA. Continuing CPAP therapy is crucial for maintaining good sleep health, even as GLP-1 medications help improve overall health and reduce sleep apnea severity.
Final thoughts
GLP-1 medications offer a powerful solution for individuals with obesity-related health conditions, including sleep apnea. These weight loss treatments provide several benefits, from lowering AHI to improving your long-term health.
If you are ready to take control of your health, talk to your doctor to learn more about your weight loss options. For questions about sleep apnea or CPAP therapy, talk to one of our CPAP Guides today.
Need help? Contact us!
- Call: 1-800-356-5221
- Email: support@cpap.com
- Chat: Connectwith a CPAP Guide through our website or app
Kenzie Dubs - Sleep Health Educator
Written and Edited by Kenzie Dubs. Kenzie is dedicated to educating the public about the hidden effects of sleep apnea and the importance of early treatment. Using her professional and educational background in biology and healthcare, she specializes in writing easy-to-understand, science-based content that guides readers through each stage of their sleep apnea journey.
Dr. Audrey Wells, MD - cpap.com Medical Advisor
Reviewed by Dr. Audrey Wells, MD. As a board-certified physician in both sleep and obesity medicine, Dr. Wells serves as Medical Advisor for cpap.com. Having navigated CPAP therapy herself, she combines her medical knowledge with certified life coaching skills to ensure our content provides compassionate, comprehensive guidance for those seeking better sleep health.
