Obstructive sleep apnea therapy reference (2026)

Obstructive sleep apnea therapy in 2026 organises around several established and emerging modalities.

First-line: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most-evidenced therapy for moderate-severe OSA, with auto-adjusting and bilevel variants for selected patients. Adherence is the structural challenge; long-term consistent use rates are mixed.

Oral appliance therapy: mandibular advancement devices for mild-moderate OSA or for CPAP-intolerant patients with appropriate dental candidacy.

Surgical: maxillomandibular advancement, palatal surgery, tongue-base reduction, and other approaches in selected patients. Effectiveness varies with anatomy and disease severity.

Neurostimulation: hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire and emerging alternatives) for selected moderate-severe OSA patients with appropriate anatomical candidacy.

Pharmacotherapy: tirzepatide carries OSA approval in patients with obesity. Follow-on GLP-1 OSA programs are reading out. Upper airway pharmacological programs (atomoxetine plus oxybutynin combinations and other approaches targeting upper airway muscle tone and arousal threshold) are in late-stage trials.

The diagnostic pathway is the addressable-population enabler. Home sleep apnea testing has expanded the diagnostic catch substantially; integrated screening in primary care and in cardiology and bariatric clinics is the next-cycle infrastructure question.