Zepbound Approved For Sleep Apnea

Core Insights - The FDA has approved Zepbound, a drug by Eli Lilly, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in obese adults, marking a significant advancement in the management of this condition [6][13]. - Zepbound, previously approved as a weight-loss drug, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps in appetite suppression and lowering blood sugar levels [9][12]. - Eli Lilly's market value is estimated at $731.8 billion, with sales of $35.9 billion and profits of $6.1 billion in the current year, ranking it No. 174 on Forbes' Global 2000 list [16]. Drug Approval and Efficacy - Zepbound received FDA approval for use in overweight or obese adults with comorbidities like sleep apnea in November 2023, following promising results from late-stage trials [7][9]. - In clinical trials, adults taking Zepbound lost an average of 45 pounds, significantly more than the 4 pounds lost by those on a placebo, and experienced about 25 fewer breathing interruptions per hour during sleep [18]. Health Implications - Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately 39 million American adults, leading to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke [3][2]. - The most common treatment for sleep apnea remains the CPAP machine, although Zepbound's approval suggests potential for weight-loss drugs to provide additional health benefits [9].