OZZZEMPIC: Expert Outlines How Weight Loss Drugs Can Both Help And Hinder Sleep

Over the past two years, the use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, particularly Ozempic, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have seen a surge in popularity.

This has been driven by the fact many celebrities and public figures have showcased slimmed down figures thanks to the drugs.

It’s estimated that over half a million Brits are now using the drugs, initially developed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes, but feted for their appetite suppressing qualities.

With obesity and metabolic conditions such as diabetes continuing to increase, the need to combat the UK’s expanding waistline is one of the top priorities for health chiefs.

In 2022, 64 percent of adults in England were estimated to be overweight or obese, up from 61 percent just seven years earlier.

It’s creating a booming market. The global market was estimated at $49.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $157.5 billion by 2035.

Eli Lilly, manufacturers of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have seen phenomenal gains in the value of their shares, which have risen 400% from $170 in early 2021 to around $840 in 2024.

But as the popularity in the drugs has grown so too has concern about the nature of their potential side-effects which some may suffer.

One area experts are divided on is the impact drugs like Ozempic have on sleep.  Expert Martin Seeley, from MattressNextDay, said: “There’s a lot of information out there and many studies are being devoted to this area. What’s clear is that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy can potentially have an impact on your sleep, but it will vary from person to person. What’s important to remember is that these are new drugs and should only be taken under medical supervision, so keep your doctor informed of any concerns you may have.”

Here Martin explains how the drugs may both help and hinder sleep.

Help:

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a condition where a blockage or narrowing in your airway keeps air from moving through your windpipe when you’re asleep. The corresponding drop in blood oxygen levels wakes you up enough to breathe again, disrupting your sleep. One of the leading causes of OSA is excess body weight with studies showing a high percentage of obese patients suffer from the condition.

Medications promoting weight loss can enhance insulin sensitivity, and studies have shown that they may reduce the impact of OSA by decreasing the amount of fat around the upper airway. This in turn can aid sleep.

Reducing the impact of alcohol-disrupted sleep

Weight loss medications have shown positive benefits for people wanting to reduce their alcohol consumption, although research is still ongoing.  Despite the theory of a nightcap helping you sleep, alcohol is a leading reason for your sleep being disrupted, particularly in the second half of the night. By helping you lower your alcohol intake through a reduction in cravings and a change in overall eating and drinking habits, these drugs can help improve your quality of sleep – which in turn helps people keep the weight off.

Ending late night snacking

Eating late at night can affect the quality of your sleep and how quickly you drift off. Consuming a large meal close to bedtime is linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (also called acid reflux) which impacts sleep. Research shows that eating high-calorie meals with large amounts of fat or carbohydrates less than an hour before bedtime can extend the time it takes to fall asleep. Eating right before bed can also make a person wake up in the middle of the night. GLP-1s work by reducing feelings of hunger and promoting a full feeling by slowing down the rate at which your stomach empties and your gut processes food, reducing the cravings for snacking before you go to bed.

However, Martin stresses the importance of considering your personal health before taking any kind of weight loss drug or supplement. It’s best to speak to your doctor in-depth before beginning any form of weight loss treatment and consider that there are other ways to manage your weight without the use of drugs.

Hinder

Impact on daytime sleepiness

Experts have found the drugs can have an impact on orexin hormones which regulate wakefulness and are responsible for how alert we are. This can compete with sleep and may make it more difficult to both fall and stay asleep.

Nausea and other digestive problems 

One of the most common side effects of weight loss jabs is the impact it can have on your digestive system with nausea and vomiting being particularly common side effects. Other problems include cramps or diarrhoea. These can make it difficult for someone to both get to sleep and have a restful night.

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