Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, Zepbound, has been found to reduce obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. The condition affects millions of adults in the U.S. when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, leading to interruptions in airflow. Obesity can increase a person’s risk of developing this disorder, which left untreated can have serious health consequences such as heart arrhythmias, heart failure, and even death.
The results were based on two studies involving adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. In the first study, participants did not use PAP machines, whereas in the second study, they did. The researchers compared how Zepbound stacked up against a placebo in reducing the number of times per hour a person partially or fully stopped breathing during sleep. The findings showed that Zepbound led to a substantial reduction in events per hour for both groups, with those using PAP machines experiencing greater benefits.
Dr. Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist from Duke Health in North Carolina, commended the research findings, emphasizing that obesity is not merely a cosmetic concern but a significant health issue. She believes that the positive results of the studies could help convince insurance companies to cover the weight loss drug, pointing to the potential impact on reducing morbidity and mortality associated with obstructive sleep apnea. In a positive development, Medicare has already approved coverage for Wegovy, another weight loss drug, for certain patients due to its ability to reduce heart disease risk.
Eli Lilly plans to present more detailed results from the studies at the American Diabetes Association conference in June and intends to submit the findings to the Food and Drug Administration for review later in the year. By demonstrating the efficacy of Zepbound in reducing obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, the drugmaker hopes to offer a new treatment option for this common and potentially dangerous sleep disorder. The research findings suggest that addressing obesity can have a positive impact on overall health and well-being, highlighting the need for effective interventions to manage weight-related conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
