Health · Pharma & Biotech · 1 hr ago
Trial finds orforglipron reduced sleep apnoea breathing interruptions
A trial tested daily orforglipron in adults with sleep apnoea at moderate-to-severe levels who were overweight or had obesity.
Obstructive sleep apnoea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, and can increase the risk of heart and metabolic diseases.
The usual treatment is a CPAP machine, which uses air pressure through a mask to keep the airway open, but many people stop using it or never begin.
After one year, people taking orforglipron had about 18 fewer breathing interruptions per hour and also showed improvements in blood pressure, weight, blood oxygen and reported sleep.
The trial included 712 adults across two studies, with participants randomly given the pill or a placebo.
Orforglipron is not yet available on the NHS, and the study does not establish it as an approved treatment for sleep apnoea; experts said it could be an option if approved for the condition.
A trial found that orforglipron, a once-daily weight-loss pill, reduced breathing interruptions in adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea.
Participants taking the pill had around 18 fewer breathing interruptions per hour, according to the report.
After one year, they also had improvements in blood oxygen levels, body weight, blood pressure and inflammation markers, and reported better sleep.
The international trial included 712 adults who were overweight or had obesity.
The study was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
- Who
- 712 adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea and a body mass index of 27 or above took part.
- What
- A trial tested orforglipron as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. Participants taking it had around 18 fewer breathing interruptions per hour.
- When
- The study was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The study was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The trial was international.
- Why
- Researchers studied whether a weight-loss pill could reduce sleep apnoea symptoms and related health risks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
UK health officials gave orforglipron the green light, according to the Daily Mail.
Researchers conducted overnight sleep studies to assess participants during the trial.
Researchers repeated overnight sleep studies and reported improvements in several health measures among participants taking the pill.
The trial was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
- Participants
- 712 adults
- Treatment
- Once-daily orforglipron
- Breathing interruptions
- Around 18 fewer per hour among participants taking the pill
- Trial duration
- One year
- Study venue
- American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Chicago
2 sources
What people are saying
If approved to treat OSA, orforglipron could be a promising oral treatment option for people with overweight or obesity and this condition
That's a meaningful blood pressure change that would have a positive impact on cardiovascular health for people with sleep apnoea.