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Review
. 2025 Aug 1;21(8):1433-1444.
doi: 10.5664/jcsm.11682.

Evaluating the potential of metabolic drugs in obstructive sleep apnea and obesity: a narrative review

Beyza Sevencan  1 , Nele Steenackers  1   2 , Amar Daniël Emanuel van Laar  1 , Sofía Pazmiño Lucio  1 , Bertien Buyse  3   4 , Alexandros Kalkanis  3 , Dries Testelmans  3   4 , Bart Van der Schueren  1   5
Affiliations
Review

Evaluating the potential of metabolic drugs in obstructive sleep apnea and obesity: a narrative review

Beyza Sevencan et al. J Clin Sleep Med. .

Abstract

Study objectives: To assess the effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple medical databases, including Embase, Medline, and Cochrane to look for English articles on interventions with SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1, and dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonists in people living with sleep apnea and overweight or obesity.

Results: Emerging evidence indicates that SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1, and dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonists are beneficial for treating obesity in combination with sleep apnea. Although these medications have shown promise in weight reduction, with GLP-1 receptor agonists slightly outperforming SGLT2 inhibitors, their effect on sleep apnea extends beyond mere weight loss. Preliminary studies suggest a beneficial role in obstructive sleep apnea management with reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index and potential improvements in other sleep-related outcomes.

Conclusions: There is a need for more therapeutic options to treat sleep apnea as adherence with current treatment options remains a struggle for many patients. According to preliminary research, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 and dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonists are promising candidates because they do show beneficial effects on apnea-hypopnia index and weight. Nevertheless, large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess their clinical potential and risk balance in more detail.

Citation: Sevencan B, Steenackers N, van Laar ADE, et al. Evaluating the potential of metabolic drugs in obstructive sleep apnea and obesity: a narrative review. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(8):1433-1444.

Keywords: glucagon-like peptide 1; obesity; obstructive sleep apnea; review; sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have seen and approved the manuscript. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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