Orforglipron for treating obstructive sleep apnoea with obesity or overweight

Orforglipron is being developed for treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in patients with obesity or overweight. Sleep apnoea is a relatively common disorder, in which people experience disrupted breathing while they are sleeping. In OSA, the most common type of sleep apnoea, disruptive breathing occurs due to a narrow or blocked upper airway, which can lead to disrupted sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Several health conditions increase the likelihood of OSA, but it is most common in people who are overweight or obese. Excess weight creates fat deposits in a person’s neck, which can block the upper airway during sleep, when the airway is already relaxed. Additionally, excess fat can compress the chest wall, increasing the likelihood of the upper airway to collapse during sleep. Treatment of OSA includes a mask, called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which patients wear to help with airflow when they go to sleep. However, reasons such as poor mask fit, and upper airway symptoms such as throat irritation reduce patients wearing the mask. Lifestyle advice including support and information on losing weight is also recommended to help improve air flow in patients with OSA. After lifestyle approaches have been started and evaluated for weight management, weight management medicines may also be used, but there is a need for more effective oral medicines.