New therapies challenge CPAP, but providers aren’t shifting yet
By Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Updated 10:16 AM CDT, Fri June 19, 2026
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YARMOUTH, Maine – There may be an increasing number of options to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but CPAP remains the top choice, say 68% of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
“The sleep apnea treatment landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, which is good news for patients,” wrote one respondent. “New options, such as oral appliances, implantable devices and emerging medications may help people who struggle with CPAP therapy. That said, CPAP remains the gold standard for many patients because of its proven effectiveness and long track record.”
Sixteen percent of respondents say significant disruption is underway, and another 16% say the increasing number of options for therapy is all hype.
GLP-1s draw attention – and traction
Among the biggest potential disruptors to the treatment landscape for OSA are GLP-1s and weight lost therapies, according to 30% of respondents.
Eli Lilly recently made two big announcements related to the use of GLP-1 to treat OSA:
- The company announced positive trials results showing retatrutide, its investigational GLP-1, reduced apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by up to 36.1 events per hour (60.6%) from a baseline of 58.6 events per hour in participants with moderate-to-severe OSA.
- The company also announced that Health Canada has approved Zepbound for the treatment of moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
In conference calls to discuss financial results, Resmed has continued to cite data showing GLP-1s have a positive impact on patients seeking CPAP therapy and remaining on therapy. The company says patients who are prescribed GLP-1s are roughly 11% more likely to start CPAP therapy compared to non-users. It also says they’re 3% more likely to order a replacement mask at the one-year mark and 5% more likely at two years.
Beyond GLP-1s, 29% of respondents say oral appliances are the biggest potential disruptor, while 12% point to nerve stimulation devices.
Providers stay centered on CPAP
Most respondents – 36% – say they’re staying focused on CPAP, while 32% say they’re actively expanding into alternatives and another 32% say they’re not there yet, but they’re considering it.
“PAP is still a very viable therapy,” wrote one respondent. “Many patients do not want to have invasive or somewhat investigational procedural treatments.”
Room for multiple therapies to grow
With 90% of adults with OSA undiagnosed, according to the National Institutes of Health, there may be significant opportunity for both established and emerging therapies.
“OSA is still so underdiagnosed,” wrote one respondent.
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