*SleepDocs Pulse*
Oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron from Lilly shows impressive Phase 3 results
*We are introducing SleepDocs Pulse as small news-driven current events postings.*
A Quick Primer: Why Weight Loss Matters for Sleep
Excess weight is one of the strongest risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The arrival of injectable GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) has been a game-changer not just for diabetes and obesity—but also for improving sleep health. We previously called GLP’s the biggest breakthrough in sleep apnea since CPAP.
What we’re seeing now is the next wave:
Oral GLP-1s that could dramatically expand accessibility, comfort, and uptake for patients.
ACHIEVE-1 Results
The ACHIEVE-1 trial tested orforglipron (Eli Lilly) daily oral treatment in over 600 adults with obesity. Key findings:
Patients lost up to 14.7% of their body weight at 36 weeks, similar to injectables.
Safety profile was similar to other drugs in this class (mainly GI side effects)
No severe adverse events (ex. liver toxicity) and low rate of discontinuation by patients.
Lilly has already announced plans to submit for FDA approval later this year.
If approved, orforglipron could hit the market as early as 2025.
Our Thoughts
Similar to injectable GLP’s, we expect this drug would have immediate applicability to obese sleep apnea patients. The improvement in availability (easier to produce at scale/store), patient demand (oral preferred v. injectable), and cost should only speed their adoption.
Weight loss isn't a cure for OSA in most cases, but even modest reductions in weight can significantly decrease apnea burden and improve symptoms/health impacts.
In short:
Orforglipron and other oral GLP-1s could be another big addition to the sleep apnea treatment toolbox.
We’re entering a new era where boundaries between obesity management and sleep medicine are blurring—in a good way.
The more tools we have to reduce the burden of OSA, the better.
I’ll be following the progress of orforglipron closely—and what it might mean for patients looking for easier, more accessible ways to improve their health (and their sleep).
Stay tuned—and sleep well.
— Chris