FDA Approves Eli Lilly's Weight-Loss Drug Zepbound as First Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Dec 20, 2024, 10:17 PM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first and only prescription medication for the treatment of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. This approval allows the drug to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Clinical studies have shown that patients treated with Zepbound experienced a mean reduction of 63% in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), equating to about 30 fewer breathing interruptions per hour, and up to 50% of patients had no symptoms after one year. The approval opens the door for broader insurance coverage of the medication, marking a significant advancement in the management of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition affecting approximately 39 million adults in the United States.