The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zepbound, the first prescription medication for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), marking a major breakthrough in addressing this widespread sleep disorder.
Zepbound, developed by Eli Lilly, belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class of drugs, which includes the well-known weight-loss medication Ozempic.
The FDA has approved its use for moderate to severe OSA in individuals with obesity. Eli Lilly emphasized that Zepbound should be paired with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity for optimal results.
OSA, affecting up to 30 million Americans, is closely linked to obesity. The disorder is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep due to airway blockages, leading to symptoms such as snoring, gasping during sleep, and excessive daytime fatigue.
Untreated OSA increases the risk of heart and brain health complications, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Clinical trials for Zepbound included nearly 470 participants and demonstrated significant improvements. Nearly half of the participants experienced symptom relief to the point where they no longer exhibited noticeable OSA symptoms.
The trials evaluated Zepbound alongside the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, a standard OSA treatment. Results showed improvements in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), a key measure of breathing interruptions per hour during sleep.
Participants began with an average AHI of 50 events per hour and a body mass index (BMI) of 39, classified as severe obesity.
Zepbound has previously been approved for weight loss in individuals with obesity or overweight conditions and related health complications.
This new approval expands its use to OSA treatment, addressing a dual-purpose need in managing obesity and its related conditions.
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