Eli Lilly Announces Zepbound® as the First Prescription Medicine for Obesity-Related Sleep Apnea
Eli Lilly and Company has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Zepbound® (tirzepatide) as the first prescription treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity. Zepbound is designed to help individuals improve their OSA symptoms when used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition where the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing interruptions in breathing. These disruptions, which may include snoring, fatigue, and excessive daytime sleepiness, often go undiagnosed, increasing the risk of other health issues.
The approval follows the results from the SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 clinical trials, which demonstrated Zepbound's effectiveness in reducing breathing disruptions. In these trials, Zepbound was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving sleep apnea symptoms. In adults not using positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, Zepbound reduced breathing disruptions by 25 per hour, compared to just five with a placebo. For adults using PAP therapy, Zepbound reduced disruptions by 29 per hour, versus six with placebo. After a year of treatment, many participants no longer had symptoms of OSA.
Zepbound also led to substantial weight loss. Participants lost an average of 45 pounds (18%) on Zepbound, with those using PAP therapy losing 50 pounds (20%), compared to minimal weight loss in the placebo group.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide, a dual-acting medication that targets both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), hormones involved in appetite regulation. It should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or GLP-1 receptor agonists.
The medication was approved for use in adults with obesity or overweight who also have weight-related medical conditions. Zepbound is not recommended for children and may cause serious side effects, including thyroid problems, severe stomach issues, kidney problems, gallbladder issues, and pancreatitis. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Patients taking Zepbound are advised to use it once a week with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, with proper injection techniques. It is important to rotate the injection site each time and follow the prescribed dosage.
