FDA Approves Zepbound as First Drug Treatment for Sleep Apnea

The weight-loss medication now offers a new option for adults with obesity suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

Zepbound, developed by Eli Lilly, is the first FDA-approved drug to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.
The drug, which shares an active ingredient with the diabetes medication Mounjaro, was previously approved for weight loss in obese adults.
Clinical trials showed Zepbound reduced sleep apnea symptoms significantly, with some patients experiencing remission or reduced severity of the condition.
The approval provides an alternative to PAP machines, which are effective but often inconvenient or poorly tolerated by some patients.
Experts highlight the drug’s potential benefits but caution that its high cost, side effects, and need for long-term management remain challenges.