Yet another benefit of weight loss jabs: They combat severe snoring, study finds

Weight loss drugs may send a sleeping disorder that affects ten million Britons into remission, scientists say.

A review has found that up to half of patients using tirzepatide – commonly known as Mounjaro – banished their sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea causes its victims’ breathing to repeatedly stop and start during the night and triggers loud snoring.

Without treatment, experts warn it can lead to a range of serious problems like high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression.

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), estimated to affect ten million people in the UK.

OSA is first treated with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking and cutting down on alcohol.

However, a device that helps pump a steady flow of air through a mask, known as a CPAP machine, is frequently prescribed to NHS patients.

But the new research suggests the jabs, known as GLP-1 agonists, may also help.

Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre reviewed the evidence of the drugs and OSA.

This included two trials where 469 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA were taking tirzepatide.

Not only did these people lose around a fifth of their body weight, but the effects on their OSA were stark.

They had more than 20 fewer ‘OSA events’ per hour, the study said, suggesting that their breathing improved and they snored less.

Furthermore, between 42 per cent and 50 per cent of the patients saw their OSA go into complete remission.

This was around three times higher than the other people in the group who took a placebo drug.

Authors of the review, which is published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, believe weight loss is the main reason for the benefit.

Experts have long known that losing weight is one of the best ways to tackle the condition.

Fat around the neck is known to worsen symptoms as it narrows the airways in the throat, leading to obstructions and making it more difficult to breathe.

Carrying more weight can also make it harder for the lungs to expand.

Despite the results, the researchers stressed that the drugs should not be considered a replacement for CPAP, particularly for people with severe OSA. 

They found that the devices, prescribed to around one million Britons, reduced more than 30 OSA events every hour.

There is also uncertainty over what happens if patients stop taking the weight-loss drugs. 

Previous research has found that weight regain is common after stopping GLP-1 treatment, suggesting OSA may return.

Tirzepatide was approved by US health officials in December 2024 to treat obesity in adults with OSA. It is not licensed for this purpose in Britain.

Other symptoms of OSA include making gasping or choking noises during sleep, as well as frequently waking.

During the day, however, warning signs can include tiredness, struggling to concentrate, mood swings and headaches.