Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is approved in the United States for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in people living with obesity, under the brand name Zepbound. In two year-long clinical trials, patients taking tirzepatide had around 20 to 24 fewer breathing interruptions per hour of sleep than patients taking a placebo. Weight loss can improve sleep apnoea, although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may still be needed. Your endocrinologist can advise on your options.
- In December 2024, Zepbound became the first drug treatment option approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for certain adults with obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity.
- In SURMOUNT-OSA, two Phase 3 trials in 469 adults with obesity, patients taking tirzepatide lost around 18% to 20% of their body weight over a year.
- The US label for Mounjaro covers type 2 diabetes, including a lower risk of major cardiovascular events in high-risk adults, added in August 2026. The sleep apnoea approval belongs to Zepbound.
- The NHS describes lifestyle changes such as losing weight, and a CPAP machine, as the main treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Weight gain and weight loss both changed sleep apnoea severity in a US population study, with a 10% loss linked to a 26% lower apnoea-hypopnoea index.
- Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, added obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity to Mounjaro’s approved uses in June 2025.
- The NHS notes that the sleep study used to diagnose sleep apnoea can often be carried out at home.
What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
The NHS describes sleep apnoea as a condition in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring, gasping or choking noises during sleep, and feeling very tired during the day.
The NHS lists obesity, a large neck, older age, drinking alcohol and smoking among the factors that make sleep apnoea more likely. It also warns that untreated sleep apnoea can raise the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity is common in the UAE. The UAE National Health Survey 2017 to 2018, published by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, found obesity in 27.8% of adults aged 18 to 69.
How weight affects sleep apnoea
In a population study of 690 adults followed for several years in the US, a 10% weight gain was associated with a 32% rise in the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), the number of breathing interruptions per hour of sleep. A 10% weight loss was associated with a 26% fall.
A 2017 review in Current Obesity Reports suggests that improving sleep apnoea may require a larger weight loss, of 10% to 15% or more. Our article on the benefits of a 10% weight loss covers the other health changes linked to a moderate weight loss.
Can Mounjaro help sleep apnoea?
On 20 December 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity. The FDA described it as the first drug treatment option for certain patients with the condition.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide, the same active ingredient as Mounjaro. The Zepbound prescribing information states that it is used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration extended Mounjaro’s approved uses in June 2025 to include moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity, as reported by newsGP, the news service of Australia’s college of general practitioners.
What the sleep apnoea trials of tirzepatide showed
In SURMOUNT-OSA, two Phase 3 clinical trials in 469 adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea, patients took tirzepatide or a placebo for 52 weeks. One trial included people who were not using CPAP, while the other included people who continued to use it. People with type 2 diabetes were not included.
The table below shows the average results at 52 weeks, with the placebo figure in brackets. The trials were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2024.
| Result at 52 weeks | Trial without CPAP: tirzepatide (placebo) | Trial with CPAP: tirzepatide (placebo) |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer breathing interruptions per hour (AHI) | 25.3 (5.3) | 29.3 (5.5) |
| Body weight lost | 17.7% (1.6%) | 19.6% (2.3%) |
| Remission or mild sleep apnoea without daytime sleepiness | 42.2% (15.9%) | 50.2% (14.3%) |
The trials defined this outcome as fewer than 5 breathing interruptions an hour, or 5 to 14 together with a low daytime sleepiness score.
Can weight loss medication replace CPAP?
Not necessarily. Many patients in the tirzepatide trials did not reach remission, so weight loss medication may reduce the severity of sleep apnoea without resolving it. CPAP remains one of the main treatments.
We recommend continuing CPAP unless your sleep specialist advises otherwise. Your sleep specialist may suggest a repeat sleep study after significant weight loss.
Other weight loss medications and sleep apnoea
In the United States, the labels for the Wegovy injection, Ozempic and Foundayo do not include sleep apnoea as an approved use. Given the link between weight and sleep apnoea, people who lose weight with these medications may still benefit. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is the semaglutide medication approved for weight management. At Endocare, Ozempic is considered for weight management only in patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Ozempic is not approved for weight management or for prediabetes, so using it for weight management outside the treatment of type 2 diabetes, including in prediabetes, is off-label.
How sleep apnoea is diagnosed
A sleep study records your breathing, oxygen levels and other signals overnight. The NHS notes that these tests are often carried out at home with a small device.
If you have symptoms of sleep apnoea, we recommend asking your doctor about a sleep study. If one is needed, your endocrinologist can refer you to a sleep specialist.
How Endocare supports weight loss with sleep apnoea in Dubai
Your first appointment is a full medical assessment, not simply a prescription visit. Your endocrinologist will review your medical history and any relevant blood tests, assess your weight and metabolic health, and discuss whether Mounjaro or another weight loss treatment is the right option for you. Sleep apnoea is one of the weight-related conditions our endocrinologists take into account. Weight loss medication is generally considered for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above when weight-related health conditions are present. Your endocrinologist will assess whether medication is appropriate based on your individual health and weight profile.
Dr Hecham Harb, Medical Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, focuses mainly on non-surgical weight loss and the conditions linked to it. Patients should not decide by themselves to start a GLP-1 medication. A doctor’s review is critical to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for the individual.
At Endocare, body composition analysis is included free of charge at every consultation. Body composition analysis estimates body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeated measurements help your endocrinologist understand how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale. Endocare’s lifestyle coaches will support you with nutrition, activity and sleep habits during treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take Mounjaro if you have sleep apnoea?
Often, yes. Sleep apnoea is a weight-related condition, so it can make a person eligible for weight loss medication at a BMI of 27 or above. The US sleep apnoea approval for Zepbound itself covers adults with obesity, meaning a BMI of 30 or above. Your endocrinologist will assess your overall health before prescribing.
Does tirzepatide reduce sleep apnoea?
In the trials so far, yes. In SURMOUNT-OSA, two year-long trials in adults with obesity, the number of breathing interruptions per hour fell by 25 to 29 on average with tirzepatide, against around 5 with a placebo.
What weight loss medication is good for sleep apnoea?
In the United States, tirzepatide, sold as Zepbound for weight management, carries an approval for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in people with obesity. Your endocrinologist will consider your sleep apnoea alongside your other health conditions when recommending a medication.
Can I stop using CPAP if I lose weight?
Not without advice from your sleep specialist. A new sleep study can show whether your sleep apnoea has improved enough to change your treatment.
How much weight do I need to lose to improve sleep apnoea?
There is no single target. Larger weight losses are generally associated with greater improvement, and a 2017 review suggests that 10% to 15% or more may be needed. Your endocrinologist can help you set a target.
Will insurance cover weight loss medication for sleep apnoea?
Insurance coverage for weight loss treatment in the UAE varies by policy and is often limited, so we recommend checking your individual coverage before starting treatment. Our care coordinators can also help you in this process.
At our Dubai clinic, your endocrinologist will assess you, review your sleep apnoea and other health conditions, and discuss whether weight loss treatment is appropriate for you. You can book a weight loss consultation with one of our endocrinologists on +971 4 285 3885 or send us a message on WhatsApp.
