A once-a-day weight-loss pill sharply reduced breathing interruptions during sleep in adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, according to two yearlong clinical trials presented Monday, November 9, 2026, at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The results were published the same day in the medical journal JAMA.
The medicine, orforglipron, is an oral GLP-1 drug made by Eli Lilly and sold under the brand name Foundayo. It is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight and weight-related health problems, lose weight and keep it off, according to the company. The new trials, called ATTAIN-OSA, tested whether it could also help people whose breathing repeatedly stops and starts at night.
What the trials found
Researchers enrolled 712 adults with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and excess weight at 66 sites in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were not included. One study included 363 adults who were not using a CPAP machine, the mask-and-air-pump device commonly prescribed for sleep apnea. The second included 349 regular CPAP users, who paused their machines for a week before each overnight sleep test.
Participants were randomly assigned to take orforglipron or a placebo, and neither they nor the researchers knew who got which. After 52 weeks, the key findings were:
- Breathing interruptions fell by about 18 per hour of sleep with the pill, compared with about 5 per hour with placebo. JAMA reported a difference of 13.2 events per hour in the non-CPAP group and 12.0 in the CPAP group.
- Drops in blood oxygen linked to sleep apnea fell by 51% and 44% in the two pill groups, versus 18% with placebo.
- Body weight dropped about 10% to 11% on the pill, compared with 1% to 2% on placebo.
- Systolic blood pressure, the top number, fell about 7 to 7.5 points with the pill, versus roughly 2 points with placebo.
- A marker of inflammation in the blood also fell more with the medicine, and participants reported better sleep.
Results were similar whether or not people used CPAP. Six of seven key secondary goals favored the drug, according to the JAMA summary.
“Fewer interruptions in breathing during the night may allow for more restful sleep.” — Dr. Vaishnavi Kundel, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, lead author
Side effects and limits
The most common side effects were stomach-related, mostly mild to moderate nausea, diarrhea and constipation. JAMA’s summary noted that gastrointestinal side effects were reported by roughly 68% to 71% of people taking orforglipron, compared with about 37% on placebo, and said that could weigh on treatment decisions.
The researchers pointed out several limits. The trials lasted one year, most participants had severe sleep apnea, people with diabetes or mild sleep apnea were left out, and some racial and ethnic groups were underrepresented. The authors said weight loss likely drove much of the benefit and that longer, more diverse studies are needed to learn whether the drug lowers heart attacks or strokes in people with sleep apnea. Eli Lilly funded both studies.
Importantly, the researchers said the pill is not meant to replace CPAP. Instead, they said it could be used alongside CPAP, or for patients who cannot use the machine or choose not to.
Why sleep apnea matters
Sleep apnea is common. The American Heart Association estimates it affects about 1 billion adults worldwide, and obesity is a major risk factor. The repeated pauses in breathing disrupt sleep and lower oxygen levels, and the condition has been linked to heart and blood vessel problems. Many people with sleep apnea do not know they have it.
Why it matters for families
Loud snoring, gasping during sleep, or heavy daytime sleepiness can be signs of sleep apnea, and a sleep study is the usual way to find out. These trials suggest another possible option may be coming, but the medicine is not currently approved specifically for sleep apnea, and it is not right for everyone. If you or a loved one has symptoms, or questions about CPAP or weight-loss medicines, talk with your doctor about what is safe for you. Do not stop using a prescribed CPAP machine without medical advice.
What to watch next
Watch for whether Lilly asks the FDA to add sleep apnea to Foundayo’s approved uses, and for longer studies on heart outcomes. Upstormed News will follow this story.
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Read more: Rethinking the Holiday Toast: What New Health Guidance Says About Alcohol
Have you or someone in your family struggled with sleep apnea or CPAP?
Sources: American Heart Association Newsroom, “Daily, oral GLP-1 medication reduced episodes of sleep apnea in adults with excess weight” (November 9, 2026); JAMA, “Orforglipron for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Research Summary” (November 9, 2026); Eli Lilly and Company, “Lilly’s oral GLP-1, Foundayo (orforglipron), was associated with significant reductions in predicted long-term risk of type 2 diabetes” (October 1, 2026)
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