A drug called retatrutide reduced the severity of sleep apnoea in people with obesity or overweight, according to results presented at a major European sleep medicine conference.
Researchers presented findings from two phase 3 clinical trials at #SleepEurope2026, showing that retatrutide — a drug being studied for weight management — produced greater reductions in the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) than a placebo. The AHI is the standard measure used to assess sleep apnoea severity, counting the number of times per hour a person’s breathing stops or becomes dangerously shallow during sleep.
The trials included participants with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) — where the throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep — who also had obesity or were overweight, with or without type 2 diabetes. Both groups receiving retatrutide showed greater improvement than those given a dummy treatment.
The results were published in full in the New England Journal of Medicine. Retatrutide is not currently approved for use in the UK, and the findings are from clinical trials rather than routine clinical practice.
OSA affects millions of people worldwide and is strongly associated with excess weight. Current treatments include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which keep the airway open during sleep, and lifestyle changes including weight loss. A drug that addresses both obesity and OSA simultaneously has been a focus of research interest.
The trials did not compare retatrutide against existing OSA treatments — only against placebo — so direct comparisons with CPAP or other therapies cannot be drawn from this data alone.
Anyone concerned about symptoms of sleep apnoea — which can include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, or excessive daytime tiredness — should speak to their GP. NHS 111 is also available for advice.
Source: @NEJM
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