Adults with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and excess weight experienced significantly fewer nighttime breathing interruptions after taking the daily oral GLP-1 medication orforglipron for one year, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago and simultaneously published in JAMA. The findings, from two year-long clinical trials known as ATTAIN-OSA, mark the first large studies of an oral medication for obstructive sleep apnea in people with overweight or obesity, and they suggest a convenient pill could broaden access to treatment for a condition that affects an estimated 1 billion adults worldwide.
In the trials, breathing interruptions during sleep decreased by about 18 events per hour among participants taking orforglipron, compared with about 5 events per hour among those taking a placebo. Results were broadly similar whether participants used continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or not. The medication also led to greater reductions in sleep apnea-related drops in blood oxygen levels, with improvements of 51% versus 18% in the non-CPAP study and 44% versus 18% in the CPAP study. At one year, body weight fell by about 10-11% in the orforglipron groups compared with 1-2% in the placebo groups.
The cardiovascular implications are significant. Participants taking orforglipron saw larger reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a blood marker of inflammation, and in systolic blood pressure, which fell by roughly seven points compared with about two points with placebo. "Untreated moderate to severe sleep apnea frequently goes hand in hand with high blood pressure, which can strain the heart and blood vessels over time, leading to increased risk of heart disease and stroke," said presenting author Vaishnavi Kundel, M.D., M.Sc., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Even a modest decrease in blood pressure can help protect a patient's heart and overall health." She noted that previous research confirmed CPAP can lower blood pressure by about two to three points, making the seven-point drop with orforglipron a meaningful change.
Obesity is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea, according to a 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement on obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. In 2022, the Association added healthy sleep to its Life's Essential 8 checklist, underscoring the link between sleep and heart health. "If approved to treat obstructive sleep apnea, orforglipron could be a promising oral pharmacologic option for people with overweight or obesity and this condition," Kundel said. "A convenient daily pill may help expand access to treatment for sleep apnea, and it could potentially be used with CPAP or other therapies to better meet individual patient's needs."
The two trials included 712 adults with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and a body mass index of 27 kg/m² or higher, conducted at 66 medical centers across North America, South America, Europe and Asia between October 2024 and July 2026. The most common side effects were nausea, diarrhea and constipation, mostly mild to moderate. Researchers emphasized the medication is not meant to replace CPAP therapy but to expand treatment options. Limitations include the one-year duration, exclusion of people with diabetes or mild sleep apnea, and underrepresentation of some racial and ethnic groups. Eli Lilly and Company funded the studies. The full results are available in the abstract and the Online Program Planner, with additional resources including Sleep matters: duration, timing, quality and more may affect cardiovascular disease risk and American Heart Association adds sleep to cardiovascular health checklist. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
