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FDA Approves Eli Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide) as First Drug for Sleep Apnea in Obese Adults, Reducing Interruptions by 63%

Dec 21, 2024, 10:45 AM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eli Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first and only prescription medication for treating moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. This approval marks a significant expansion of Zepbound's use, which was previously indicated for weight loss. The FDA's decision is expected to enhance insurance coverage for the medication, benefiting millions of adults affected by sleep apnea, a condition impacting approximately 39 million people in the U.S. Clinical studies have shown that adults taking Zepbound experienced a mean reduction of 63% in their apnea-hypopnea index, translating to about 30 fewer breathing interruptions per hour. The approval is seen as a transformative step in the management of sleep apnea, which incurs substantial economic costs due to lost productivity and healthcare expenses.