Weight Loss Drug Mounjaro Approved in Brazil for Sleep Apnea Treatment
São Paulo, brazil – In a significant development for patients struggling with both obesity and obstructive sleep apnea, Brazil’s health regulatory agency, Anvisa, has approved the use of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as a treatment option for individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea and obesity. This expands the drug’s therapeutic applications beyond its established uses. The decision, announced today, is based on compelling clinical trial data demonstrating the medication’s effectiveness in reducing respiratory interruptions during sleep.
The approval follows a Phase 3 clinical study conducted by Eli Lilly, revealing that tirzepatide - at doses of 10mg or 15mg – proved, on average, five times more effective than a placebo in lessening the frequency of breathing pauses in patients not currently utilizing CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines.
This news arrives as Brazil tightens regulations on weight loss medications; since June, prescriptions for drugs like Ozempic are now required to be retained by pharmacies, ensuring medical oversight.
Experts highlight the interconnectedness of weight, sleep, and hormonal balance. poor sleep can disrupt appetite-regulating hormones, increasing hunger and hindering weight loss efforts. Conversely, being overweight can exacerbate sleep problems and contribute to anxiety, possibly leading to further unhealthy eating habits.
“Those who have insomnia problems or poor quality sleep experience a reduction in the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite, and an increase in ghrelin, known as the ‘hunger hormone’,” explains a specialist. ”As a consequence, the appetite increases and the person finds it more arduous to maintain a diet.”
importantly, even a modest weight reduction – at least 10% – can substantially improve health outcomes and reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, according to endocrinologists. The Anvisa approval of Mounjaro offers a new avenue for patients to address both conditions simultaneously under medical supervision.
