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Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Mounjaro approved to treat sleep apnoea in Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sleep. Followed categories will be added to My News. A popular weight-loss jab has been approved to treat a common sleep disorder in Australia, after a new ruling by the medicine regulator. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has given Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, the green light to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity. Mounjaro, developed by Eli Lilly, was one of the first GLP-1 receptor agonists — a class of drugs initially developed for type II diabetes that became popular as 'off-label' weight-loss drugs — approved in Australia to specifically treat obesity. That approval has now been expanded to include sleep apnoea, making it the first and only medicine in Australia approved for the debilitating condition, which affects around 780,000 Australians. Patients' upper airway becomes blocked, repeatedly interrupting breathing while they sleep. The prescription drug is not available on the PBS — meaning any patients recommended the drug by their doctor would need to pay significant out-of-pocket costs. In a release issued by Eli Lilly, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research Professor Brendon Yee said news of the TGA's approval was a 'long-awaited development'. 'For the first time, people with weight-related obstructive sleep apnoea can be treated with a medicine that addresses the underlying cause of their condition,' he said. 'This marks a significant milestone in the treatment of this debilitating sleep disorder.' Professor Yee said about 70 per cent of sleep apnoea patients had obesity. 'Obstructive sleep apnoea is incredibly pervasive – not only does it affect every aspect of a patient's wellbeing and quality of life, it significantly increases the risk of developing other health conditions,' he said. Eli Lilly said the drug treats sleep apnoea through weight-loss, as this eases 'pressure on the chest and abdomen' and reduces 'excess fat around the neck and throat'. Its side effects can include an upset stomach, injection site-related side effects and low blood sugar. The drug was initially approved by the TGA last year as a weight-loss treatment for patients who were obese, or overweight and had at least one weight-related comorbid condition, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease or prediabetes. The news comes just one day after the regulator warned patients on popular diabetes and weight loss jabs must be warned about their increased risk of a serious airway complication during surgery. The TGA ordered the manufacturer's behind GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists drugs — including Mounjaro and Ozempic — issue new safety warnings about the risk of inhaling food while under general anaesthetic. The drugs were initially developed and approved to treat type II diabetes, but as knowledge of their weight-loss effect spread, off-label use skyrocketed — prompting significant shortages that are still ongoing and the development of versions approved for weight-loss. Eli Lilly said all doses of the Mounjaro KwikPen 'remain available' at the time of the drug's latest approval, and they were 'committed to ongoing replenishment of all doses'. Eli Lilly Australia Associate Vice President Dr Kevin Lim said they were proud to deliver the first pharmaceutical treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea for patients with obesity. 'We remain committed to ensuring that patients receive affordable access to Mounjaro at the earliest opportunity,' he said. Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@ Originally published as Weight-loss jab approved to treat common sleep disorder
9 News
7 days ago
- Health
- 9 News
First medicine for sleep apnoea approved for use by the TGA
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the first medicine to treat sleep apnoea. Mounjaro, which has the active ingredient tirzepatide, is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the TGA has today expanded the drug's usage to include obstructive sleep apnoea for adults living with obesity. A medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes has now been approved for use in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity. (iStock) This makes Mounjaro the first and only medicine for obstructive sleep apnoea in Australia. The drug has not been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and will only be available through private prescription. Mounjaro can now be used to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults living with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Mounjaro has been approved to treat sleep apnoea in adults living with obesity. (CNN) Mounjaro cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes, or by children and teenagers under 18 years old. Side effects associated with Mounjaro can include an upset stomach, injection site-related side effects, and low blood sugar. Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common of all sleeping disorders and is thought to affect around 780,000 Australian adults. It occurs when a person's upper airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to be repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Professor Brendon Yee is a respiratory and sleep physician at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research who was involved in a clinical trial of Mounjaro for obstructive sleep apnoea. Yee said the TGA decision was a "long-awaited development" in the field of sleep medicine. "For the first time, people with weight-related obstructive sleep apnoea can be treated with a medicine that addresses the underlying cause of their condition," Yee said. "This marks a significant milestone in the treatment of this debilitating sleep disorder. "Obstructive sleep apnoea can affect anyone, and obesity is the single greatest cause of the condition. "At least 70 per cent of people living with obstructive sleep apnoea also live with obesity." health national medical medicine Sleep obesity CONTACT US
