An Injectable. A Pill. A Powerful Shift in Sleep Medicine.

In a significant advancement for sleep and metabolic health, a new oral GLP-1 medication is poised to reshape the treatment landscape for obesity and its associated conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Eli Lilly's once-daily pill, orforglipron, is currently in advanced trials and has demonstrated promising results in both weight loss and blood sugar control. The true innovation lies in integrating these therapies into comprehensive care pathways—an initiative that Wesper is preparing to launch.

GLP-1 receptor agonists have revolutionized the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering patients significant, sustainable weight loss and improved metabolic outcomes. However, until now, these treatments required injections, which posed a barrier for many patients.

Eli Lilly's orforglipron, a GLP-1 receptor agonist in pill form, is expected to be submitted for FDA approval by late 2025. In Phase 3 trials, patients experienced an average weight loss of 16 pounds (approximately 7.9% of body weight) over 40 weeks and significant reductions in HbA1c levels by 1.3% to 1.6% Business Insider . The oral administration of orforglipron offers a more convenient and potentially more accessible treatment option compared to injectable GLP-1 drugs, which require complex manufacturing processes.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nearly 30 million Americans, yet approximately 80% of moderate-to-severe cases remain undiagnosed AASM . OSA contributes directly to cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, weight gain, and daytime fatigue.

The FDA's recent approval of Zepbound (tirzepatide) for treating moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity marks a significant milestone U.S. Food and Drug Administration . In clinical trials, Zepbound reduced apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores by up to 30 events per hour and helped up to 50% of patients achieve remission or mild OSA symptoms after one year Lilly Investor Relations . These findings underscore the potential of GLP-1 therapies in addressing the root causes of OSA.

Recognizing the potential of GLP-1 therapies in treating OSA, Wesper is preparing to launch an integrated GLP-1 support program—a first in the sleep diagnostic space. This forthcoming initiative aims to bridge the gap between diagnosis and metabolic intervention, providing providers with a pathway to treat the root cause of sleep disorders with greater clinical precision.

Once launched, the program will include:

• At-Home Sleep Test: Wesper's wearable, FDA-cleared diagnostic patches allow providers to accurately identify OSA in patients from the comfort of their homes.

• GLP-1 Candidacy Identification: Using biometric data and sleep insights, providers can identify patients who may benefit from GLP-1 therapy based on risk factors and comorbidities.

• Ongoing Monitoring : Wesper will help track patient progress as they begin therapy—monitoring improvements in weight, sleep quality, and apnea severity. Fierce Biotech

• Improved Patient Adherence : Through coaching tools and remote engagement, patients will remain supported throughout their journey, increasing the likelihood of long-term success.

By combining these tools, Wesper's upcoming program is designed to empower providers to shift from reactive care to proactive, outcomes-driven treatment.

As oral GLP-1 therapies like orforglipron move closer to FDA approval, and with injectable options like Zepbound already gaining traction in OSA management, the integration of metabolic health and sleep medicine is no longer theoretical—it’s inevitable .

For providers, this evolution presents a unique opportunity: to move beyond episodic, symptom-based care and embrace a model that treats the whole patient —with data, personalization, and long-term impact at the center. By embedding GLP-1 therapy into the care continuum through Wesper’s forthcoming program, clinicians will be better equipped to:

• Detect OSA earlier and more efficiently

• Address the upstream causes of cardiometabolic dysfunction

• Offer a seamless, non-invasive alternative to traditional sleep labs

• Personalize care with measurable outcomes in both sleep quality and weight loss

In an era where patients demand convenience, providers require precision, and payers expect results, the future of sleep medicine lies in convergence : where wearable diagnostics, digital coaching, and metabolic therapeutics work together to change lives.

Wesper’s upcoming GLP-1 program doesn’t just treat sleep—it unlocks the possibility of true root-cause care. 

1. What are GLP-1 receptor agonists, and how do they work?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications that mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, which:

• Stimulates insulin secretion

• Reduces glucagon production

• Slows gastric emptying

• Promotes satiety , helping reduce food intake

These combined effects result in improved blood sugar control and significant weight loss , particularly beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity .

2. What is orforglipron, and how is it different from other GLP-1 therapies?

Orforglipron is an investigational oral GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly. Unlike most GLP-1 drugs (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound), which are injectable , orforglipron is taken as a once-daily pill —potentially improving patient adherence and access.

In Phase 2 trials, participants on orforglipron lost up to 14.7% of their body weight over 36 weeks, with no injections required ( NEJM, 2023 ).

3. Why is GLP-1 therapy relevant to sleep medicine?

Obesity is one of the strongest risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) . Excess weight, particularly around the neck and abdomen, can:

• Narrow upper airways during sleep

• Reduce oxygen saturation

• Increase sleep fragmentation

GLP-1 therapy, by reducing body weight and systemic inflammation, can significantly improve the severity of OSA , lower apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores, and reduce daytime symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive fog.

4. What does the research say about GLP-1 drugs and OSA?

The SURMOUNT-OSA trials , funded by Eli Lilly, found that patients taking tirzepatide (Zepbound) experienced:

• Up to a 63% reduction in AHI scores

• An average of 30 fewer apnea events per hour

• Marked improvements in oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and sleep architecture

Many patients moved from severe OSA to mild or no apnea categories over the course of the 52-week study ( FDA, 2024 ).

5. Can GLP-1 therapy replace CPAP for sleep apnea treatment?

GLP-1 therapy does not replace CPAP for all patients, but it may reduce the severity of OSA or make CPAP therapy more tolerable by:

• Lowering AHI to a point where CPAP is no longer required

• Reducing mask pressure needs

• Improving treatment adherence when paired with weight loss

Patients with mild to moderate OSA and obesity-related airway collapse may especially benefit from a dual approach: metabolic therapy + sleep intervention.

6. Is orforglipron FDA-approved for sleep apnea?

No—not yet. As of April 2025:

• Zepbound (tirzepatide) is the only GLP-1 drug approved by the FDA for treating OSA in adults with obesity

• Orforglipron is in late-stage clinical trials and is expected to be submitted for FDA approval for obesity in late 2025 and for type 2 diabetes in 2026

If future studies show benefits for OSA, orforglipron may also be considered for similar approval in sleep medicine.

7. What makes the oral pill form of GLP-1 therapy so significant?

The oral formulation of orforglipron has several key benefits:

• Improved adherence for patients uncomfortable with injections

• Broader accessibility in primary care and underserved populations

• Easier combination with existing daily medications

• Potential for larger-scale population-level impact

This could be a game-changer for patients with overlapping obesity, diabetes, and sleep disorders , who often struggle to stay compliant with injectable regimens.

8. Are there any risks or side effects associated with GLP-1 therapy?

Common side effects include:

• Nausea , especially during dose escalation

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Decreased appetite

• Rarely: pancreatitis , gallbladder issues , or thyroid C-cell tumors

Most side effects are mild to moderate and tend to decrease over time. Providers usually start at low doses and gradually increase to minimize discomfort.

9. Who should not take GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 therapy may not be suitable for:

• Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma

• Those with MEN2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2)

• People with a history of pancreatitis

Prescribing physicians should conduct thorough clinical assessments and use FDA guidance before initiating treatment.

10. What’s next in GLP-1 therapy research for sleep disorders?

Researchers are currently exploring:

• Whether GLP-1 therapies can improve central sleep apnea

• How weight loss impacts REM sleep stability and fragmentation

• How long-term GLP-1 use affects cardiovascular and neurocognitive outcomes in OSA patients

As oral options like orforglipron enter the market, their role in integrated care for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and sleep disorders will likely expand significantly.

• Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill works just as well as Ozempic — and investors are loving it. Business Insider. April 17, 2025.

• FDA Approves First Medication for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. December 20, 2024.

• Tirzepatide reduced sleep apnea severity by up to nearly two-thirds in adults with obesity. Eli Lilly and Company.

• National indicator report details importance of OSA diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Business Insider Sleep Foundation