Eli Lilly Says FDA Approves Zepbound for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults With Obesity – WSJ
On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound® (tirzepatide) as the first and only prescription medication for adults suffering from moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity. This announcement marks a major milestone in treating a condition often dismissed as mere snoring but linked to serious health risks.
Eli Lilly and Company revealed that Zepbound not only addresses OSA but also aids in substantial weight loss. Clinical trials reported that patients experienced an average weight loss of up to 20%, alongside significantly fewer breathing interruptions during sleep—25 fewer per hour on average. Additionally, nearly half of the participants showed no symptoms of OSA after a year of treatment.
OSA is a condition where the upper airway partially or fully collapses during sleep, causing frequent breathing pauses. Symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and poor sleep quality often go unnoticed or are misdiagnosed. Experts emphasize that untreated OSA can lead to severe health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Julie Flygare, CEO of Project Sleep, expressed optimism about Zepbound, calling it a step toward raising awareness and improving patient outcomes. Patrik Jonsson, an executive at Eli Lilly, highlighted the drug’s transformative potential in both sleep apnea management and obesity treatment.
The approval was backed by findings from the SURMOUNT-OSA clinical trials, where participants on Zepbound experienced up to five times better results than those on a placebo. Patients using Zepbound with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy reported even greater improvements.
Zepbound, however, comes with precautions. It should not be used by individuals with a history of thyroid cancer, severe allergic reactions to its components, or specific genetic conditions. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and fatigue.
This is Zepbound’s second FDA approval, following its earlier approval in 2023 for obesity-related weight management. Experts believe this dual impact—addressing both sleep apnea and obesity—positions Zepbound as a groundbreaking treatment in modern medicine.
For more information on Zepbound’s usage, risks, and benefits, visit Zepbound.lilly.com.
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