FDA approves first drug for obstructive sleep apnea Promote weight loss

The first drug for obstructive sleep apnea has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dec. 1 On Sept. 20, the FDA announced that the agency had approved Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with Obesity

The FDA noted that the drug must be used together with a low-calorie diet and increased exercise.

Some sleep apnea patients see improvements with new breathing devices.

Dr. Sally Seymour, director of the Division of Respiratory, Allergy and Critical Care Diseases in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in Washington, D.C., applauded the approval in an announcement.

A happy and healthy senior man sleeps soundly on his left side without snoring. (Istock)

“Today’s approval represents the first drug treatment option for some patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” Seymour wrote. “This is an important step forward for patients with apnea. while sleeping due to obstruction”

OSA occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked and breathing stops during sleep, according to the FDA. This condition is more common in people who are overweight or obese.

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Like semaglutide treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy, Zepbound stimulates hormone receptors secreted from the gut (GLP-1 and GIP) to reduce appetite and food intake.

An estimated 30 million people suffer from sleep apnea in the United States.

Studies show that by reducing body weight, Zepbound “also improves OSA,” the FDA states.

In the 52-week study, participants treated with Zepbound experienced “statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in cases of obstructive sleep apnea or hypopnea,” and the majority of participants Successful in relieving symptoms or “resolving symptoms”

Study: Zepbound improves obstructive sleep apnea by reducing body weight. (Istock)

Patients treated with Zepbound reported significant weight loss, the FDA said.

It has been reported that the drug may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort and pain. injection site reaction Fatigue, allergic reactions (usually fever and rash), belching, hair loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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Although Zepbound caused tumors in thyroid cells in mice, But it is not known whether it causes these tumors in humans. Therefore, it should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. or have endocrine tumor syndrome type 2, type 2 according to the FDA.

The agency encourages all OSA patients to consult a doctor before taking Zepbound and to monitor them for complications.

One sleep expert called the FDA approval a “promising advance for the millions of people suffering from this condition.” (Istock)

Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, M.D., is a senior behavioral expert at RAND Corporation and a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Utah. It called the FDA approval a “promising advance for the millions of people who suffer from this condition.”

“Zepbound promotes weight loss and has been shown to reduce incidents of sleep apnea.”

Troxel told Fox News Digital about 30 million people suffer from sleep apnea.

Although the most common sleep apnea treatment, positive airway pressure (PAP), is “highly effective” at treating the condition, But as many as 50% of patients are “non-adherent,” she said.

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“Zepbound promotes weight loss and has been shown to reduce sleep apnea events,” Troxel said.

“For obese people with moderate to severe sleep apnea This new treatment option may offer an important alternative or complementary treatment. This is especially true for people who struggle with sleep apnea, such as positive airway pressure.”

People with a history of severe allergic reaction to tirzepatide should not use Zepbound, the FDA warns in a news release. (Istock)

Troxel adds that treating sleep apnea is “It is important not only for the health and well-being of patients. But also their sexual partners. which is usually ‘Hidden casualties’ of untreated sleep apnea This is because loud snoring and suffocation are the main symptoms,” she said.

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Dr. William Lu, medical director of Dream Health in San Francisco, told Fox News Digital that obesity and sleep apnea are ” “Two of the Most Pervasive Health Conditions Affecting Americans Today.”

“We still need to focus on changing people’s diets and health, but this is a great start.”

“And they go hand in hand,” he said. “For eligible patients with no contraindications, tirzepatide has the potential to be a generation drug that can help people lose weight. Reduce the severity of sleep apnea and improve overall health.”

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“We still need to focus on changing people’s diets and health, but this is a great start.”

Getting tested for sleep apnea “It is important for your health,” Lu said, and may also be a requirement for coverage for the drug.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Eli Lilly for comment.