Eli Lilly Introduced First and Only Zepbound® for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Adults with Obesity
Eli Lilly has announced the FDA approval of Zepbound® (tirzepatide), the first and only prescription medication for treating moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults with obesity. This innovative treatment is designed to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a dual-acting glucose- dependant insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, addressing key underlying factors of obesity. By reducing appetite and food intake, it helps achieve and maintain long-term weight reduction in adults with obesity or overweight, especially in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
OSA is a serious sleep-related breathing disorder characterised by repeated episodes of partial or complete airway collapse during sleep, resulting in disrupted breathing, decreased oxygen levels, and frequent awakenings.
The approval of Zepbound® is supported by results from the SURMOUNT-OSA Phase 3 clinical trials, which evaluated its efficacy in treating moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity over a year. Key findings include:
In individuals not using positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, Zepbound® (10 mg or 15 mg) reduced breathing disruptions by 25 events per hour, compared to only five events with placebo.
For adults on PAP therapy, Zepbound® reduced disruptions by 29 events per hour, significantly outperforming the six-event reduction observed with placebo.
This groundbreaking approval positions Zepbound® (tirzepatide) as a transformative option for managing OSA and obesity, providing new hope for millions of patients affected by these interconnected health challenges.
