Struggle with sleep apnoea? discover first-ever medicine just approved in Australia
- Replies 2
If you or someone you love has ever struggled with sleep apnoea, you’ll know just how exhausting and frustrating it can be.
The constant waking, the snoring, the daytime fatigue—it’s enough to make anyone feel like a walking zombie!
But there’s some exciting news on the horizon for Aussies: for the first time, a medicine has been approved in Australia specifically to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has just given the green light to Mounjaro (active ingredient: tirzepatide) for use in adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea who are also living with obesity (that’s a BMI of 30 or more).
This is a real game-changer, as until now, treatment options have mostly been limited to lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, dental devices, or, in some cases, surgery.
You might have already heard of Mounjaro—it’s been making waves as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and, more recently, for weight management in adults with obesity and related health conditions.
Now, the TGA has expanded its use to include sleep apnoea, making it the first and only medicine in Australia approved for this purpose.
Mounjaro works by targeting the underlying cause of sleep apnoea in many people: excess weight.
Obesity is the single biggest risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea, with at least 70 per cent of sufferers also living with obesity.
By helping with weight loss and improving metabolic health, Mounjaro can reduce the severity of sleep apnoea symptoms.
There’s a catch: Mounjaro isn’t on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) yet, so it’s only available via private prescription.
That means you’ll need to chat with your GP or sleep specialist to see if it’s right for you and be prepared for out-of-pocket costs.
It’s also important to note that Mounjaro is only approved for adults—no kids or teens under 18—and it’s not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes.
Like all medicines, Mounjaro isn’t without its side effects. Some people may experience an upset stomach, reactions at the injection site, or low blood sugar.
Your doctor will be able to talk you through the risks and benefits, and help you decide if it’s a good fit for your health needs.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common sleep disorder in Australia, affecting around 780,000 adults.
It happens when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing repeated interruptions to breathing.
This can lead to poor sleep quality, loud snoring, and a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness.
Professor Brendon Yee, a leading respiratory and sleep physician at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, was involved in the clinical trials for Mounjaro.
He called the TGA’s decision a 'long-awaited development' and a 'significant milestone' in sleep medicine.
For the first time, people with weight-related sleep apnoea have a medicine that targets the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Although this new medicine marks a breakthrough in treating sleep apnoea, it is not the only effective option.
Many people continue to benefit from other approaches. CPAP machines remain the gold standard for treating moderate to severe cases, helping to keep the airway open during sleep.
Oral appliances, such as special mouthguards, are useful for those with mild-to-moderate symptoms.
Lifestyle changes like losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and sleeping on your side can also make a significant difference.
In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove tissue or correct structural issues in the airway.
If you’re living with sleep apnoea and obesity, this new medicine could offer hope—especially if you’ve struggled with other treatments or found them uncomfortable.
It’s worth having a chat with your doctor about whether Mounjaro might be suitable for you.
If you’re unsure whether you have sleep apnoea, common signs include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, waking up tired despite a whole night’s rest, morning headaches, and daytime trouble concentrating.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting checked out. Sleep apnoea is more than just a nuisance—it can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
Have you or someone you know been affected by sleep apnoea? What treatments have you tried, and how have they worked for you? Are you excited about the possibility of a new medicine, or do you have concerns? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
The constant waking, the snoring, the daytime fatigue—it’s enough to make anyone feel like a walking zombie!
But there’s some exciting news on the horizon for Aussies: for the first time, a medicine has been approved in Australia specifically to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has just given the green light to Mounjaro (active ingredient: tirzepatide) for use in adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea who are also living with obesity (that’s a BMI of 30 or more).
This is a real game-changer, as until now, treatment options have mostly been limited to lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, dental devices, or, in some cases, surgery.
Mounjaro has been approved in Australia to treat moderate-to-severe sleep apnoea in adults with obesity. Credit: visions / iStock
You might have already heard of Mounjaro—it’s been making waves as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and, more recently, for weight management in adults with obesity and related health conditions.
Now, the TGA has expanded its use to include sleep apnoea, making it the first and only medicine in Australia approved for this purpose.
Mounjaro works by targeting the underlying cause of sleep apnoea in many people: excess weight.
Obesity is the single biggest risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea, with at least 70 per cent of sufferers also living with obesity.
By helping with weight loss and improving metabolic health, Mounjaro can reduce the severity of sleep apnoea symptoms.
There’s a catch: Mounjaro isn’t on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) yet, so it’s only available via private prescription.
That means you’ll need to chat with your GP or sleep specialist to see if it’s right for you and be prepared for out-of-pocket costs.
It’s also important to note that Mounjaro is only approved for adults—no kids or teens under 18—and it’s not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes.
Like all medicines, Mounjaro isn’t without its side effects. Some people may experience an upset stomach, reactions at the injection site, or low blood sugar.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common sleep disorder in Australia, affecting around 780,000 adults.
It happens when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing repeated interruptions to breathing.
This can lead to poor sleep quality, loud snoring, and a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness.
Professor Brendon Yee, a leading respiratory and sleep physician at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, was involved in the clinical trials for Mounjaro.
He called the TGA’s decision a 'long-awaited development' and a 'significant milestone' in sleep medicine.
Although this new medicine marks a breakthrough in treating sleep apnoea, it is not the only effective option.
Many people continue to benefit from other approaches. CPAP machines remain the gold standard for treating moderate to severe cases, helping to keep the airway open during sleep.
Oral appliances, such as special mouthguards, are useful for those with mild-to-moderate symptoms.
Lifestyle changes like losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and sleeping on your side can also make a significant difference.
In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove tissue or correct structural issues in the airway.
It’s worth having a chat with your doctor about whether Mounjaro might be suitable for you.
If you’re unsure whether you have sleep apnoea, common signs include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, waking up tired despite a whole night’s rest, morning headaches, and daytime trouble concentrating.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting checked out. Sleep apnoea is more than just a nuisance—it can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
.png){kind=icon}
