Weight loss drug becomes first medication for sleep apnea treatment

Weight loss medication Zepbound has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first drug for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by the American FDA drug regulator. Approved on December 20, 2023, this marks a major advancement in addressing a condition that has historically relied on mechanical interventions such as positive airway pressure devices rather than pharmacological treatments.

In clinical trials conducted by the drug’s manufacturer Lilly, Zepbound demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing apnea symptoms among individuals who are overweight or obese, who are more prevalent to suffer from it as fat tissue can contribute to airway collapse. As reported by the Time publication, participants taking the drug experienced a 63% reduction in breathing interruptions, averaging 30 fewer sleep disruptions per night compared to those on a placebo.

Sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles of the throat relax, causing blockages in the upper airway during sleep. It is Zepbound’s weight-loss effects are believed to alleviate these blockages. By targeting and reducing fat tissue around the airway, the drug helps keep the passage open, leading to fewer episodes of restricted breathing.

The year-long study included two comparative analyses: one involving Zepbound alone versus a placebo, and another pairing Zepbound with a PAP device versus placebo with PAP. Both analyses confirmed the drug's effectiveness.

“This is the first pharmacologic therapy that can treat obstructive sleep apnea in this way,” said Dan Skovronsky, Chief Scientific Officer at Lilly. The FDA echoed this sentiment, with Dr. Sally Seymour, director of the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical Care, calling the approval “a major step forward for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.”

The FDA’s approval followed evidence showing a "statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction" in episodes of shallow breathing or temporary pauses in breathing among Zepbound users compared to placebo recipients. Participants in the trials, which focused on adults with obesity and moderate to severe OSA, saw measurable improvements in their condition over 52 weeks.

The approval of Zepbound highlights the growing interest in the potential of weight-loss drugs to treat conditions beyond obesity and diabetes. The success of tirzepatide, the drug’s generic name, in addressing the condition reinforces the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in managing or preventing the disorder. Historically, weight loss has been a core recommendation for mitigating sleep apnea symptoms, and Zepbound offers a pharmacological avenue to achieve this.

Additionally, the development spurs discussion about expanding the applications of weight-loss drugs to other conditions, including addiction and certain cancers. Researchers and clinicians are increasingly exploring these drugs’ broader therapeutic possibilities.

By Nazrin Sadigova