The Health Center
Medication for sleep apnea

We offer medication to improve sleep apnea

For adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, a once-weekly medication can reduce breathing pauses at night, on its own or alongside PAP therapy.

How it works

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that lowers appetite and helps the body lose weight. Extra weight, especially around the neck and upper body, can narrow the airway during sleep. As weight comes down, the airway is less likely to collapse, so breathing pauses become less frequent.

In December 2024, the FDA approved tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound) as the first medication to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, used together with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity.

What studies found

In the SURMOUNT-OSA trials, adults with obesity and moderate to severe sleep apnea took tirzepatide or a placebo for one year. One trial included people not using PAP, and the other included people using PAP.

  • Breathing pauses dropped by about 25 to 29 events per hour with tirzepatide, compared with about 5 with placebo. That’s a reduction of roughly half or more.
  • Average weight loss was about 18% to 20% of body weight.
  • Many participants reached remission or mild sleep apnea without daytime symptoms.

Individual results vary.

Who it may be right for

  • Adults 18 and older
  • Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea confirmed by a sleep test
  • Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
  • People who can’t tolerate PAP, or who want to add medication to PAP

It may not be right for you if you

  • Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2
  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
  • Have had pancreatitis or certain gallbladder or kidney problems (we’ll review these with you)

Getting started

  1. Evaluation

    We review your sleep, symptoms, health history and current medications by video.

  2. Sleep test

    If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, a home sleep test confirms sleep apnea and how severe it is.

  3. Start medication

    If it’s a good fit, you start at a low dose that increases gradually to limit side effects.

  4. Follow-up

    Regular $75 follow-up visits to check progress, manage side effects, adjust your dose and recheck your sleep apnea.

The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, usually early on and when the dose goes up. We’ll go over all risks and benefits before you start. PAP remains the most effective treatment for many people, and medication can be used alongside it.

Brand-name and compounded options

We can prescribe brand-name tirzepatide (Zepbound). We also offer compounded tirzepatide when it’s clinically appropriate for you.

Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for an individual patient based on a prescription. They are not FDA-approved, and FDA has not evaluated them for safety, effectiveness or quality. Compounded tirzepatide is not a generic version of Zepbound or Mounjaro. Medication costs are separate from visit fees.

Ask about medication for sleep apnea

Book a video evaluation. We’ll review your sleep, test if needed, and talk through whether medication, PAP or both make sense for you.

Book your sleep evaluation

Or call (901) 560-5473