‘King Kong’ jab for weight loss to be offered to severe snorers after they found it slashed the frequency of sleep apnoea symptoms
Patients with the most common sleep disorder could be given groundbreaking weight loss shots to combat the condition, which can be life-threatening.
More than 1.5 million people in Britain suffer from sleep apnea, where heavy snoring disrupts their breathing.
The condition leaves patients exhausted from lack of sleep and also increases their risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.
But groundbreaking new research has found that tirzepatide reduced the frequency of apnea symptoms during weight loss, increasing the amount of sleep participants got.
Although people are at greater risk for sleep apnea as they age, obesity is the most common cause of the condition.
The weekly injection works in the same way as the popular weight loss drug Wegovy.
More than 1.5 million people in Britain suffer from sleep apnea, where heavy snoring disrupts their breathing (stock image)
But groundbreaking new research has found that tirzepatide for weight loss (pictured) reduced the frequency of apnea symptoms, increasing the amount of sleep participants got.
Those with sleep apnea suffer a complete collapse of the muscles in the upper trachea, which can temporarily interrupt breathing. File image
Research shows that tirzepatide is twice as effective. Researchers therefore call it the ‘King Kong’ among slimming medications.
Experts say it could be life-saving for NHS patients with debilitating sleep apnoea.
“This seems like a promising treatment,” says Dr. Christopher Turnbull, a sleep apnea expert at the University of Oxford.
‘Sleep apnea has a huge impact on the lives of patients, who are more likely to develop heart problems.
‘Many struggle with their weight, the main cause of their apnea, but find it difficult to exercise or diet because they are exhausted from the lack of sleep. Anything that can help them lose weight would be a welcome addition to the treatment options.”
The muscles in the airways relax naturally during sleep. But those with sleep apnea suffer a complete collapse of the muscles in the upper trachea, which can temporarily interrupt breathing.
Those with the condition often make choking, gasping and snorting sounds and wake up frequently – sometimes every few minutes.
The disruption of breathing also leads to spikes in blood pressure, which puts pressure on the heart.
Patients with sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a stroke and 80 percent more likely to develop heart disease than those who do not have the condition.
In 2016, the death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher was attributed to severe sleep apnea combined with heart disease. However, the condition mainly affects men. Research shows that being overweight can lead to an accumulation of fat around the neck and a larger tongue.
In 2016, the death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher (pictured in 2011) was attributed to severe sleep apnea combined with heart disease
Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia in Star Wars the Empire Strikes Back in 1980
However, the condition mainly affects men. Research shows that being overweight can lead to a build-up of fat around the neck and a larger tongue (stock photo)
One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is called continuous positive airway pressure (pictured). Patients wear a face mask that pumps air into the mouth and nose while sleeping to ensure the trachea remains open
These changes increase the chance that the trachea will become blocked during sleep.
One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Patients wear a face mask that pumps air into the mouth and nose while sleeping to ensure the trachea remains open.
However, CPAP cannot cure sleep apnea, and many users find the device uncomfortable.
‘CPAP is very effective, but quite stressful for the patient,’ says Dr Turnbull.
Experts believe tirzepatide could be a possible alternative to CPAP after a US study of almost 500 obese participants concluded the jab reduced symptoms of sleep apnea by almost two-thirds.
Sleep apnea studies often look at the number of disabling “events” patients experience: the number of times they stop breathing.
The new findings, published by Eli Lilly, the drug’s developer, show that patients who received tirzepatide experienced about 30 fewer events per hour than those who did not receive the treatment.
Crucially, this was roughly equivalent to the benefits seen in patients using CPAP.
Experts say these striking results are due to the weight loss seen in the participants, who lost an average of about a fifth of their body weight.
Tirzepatide mimics the GLP-1 hormone in the intestines that helps release insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. It also suppresses appetite, leading to weight loss.
‘Many sleep apnea patients respond well to CPAP and would prefer to be drug-free,’ says Kath Hope, founder of the charity Hope2Sleep.
‘But for those who suffer from CPAP and live with untreated sleep apnea, this could be an excellent option.’