FDA Clears Weight-Loss Drug for Sleep Apnea

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FDA Clears Weight-Loss Drug for Sleep Apnea
FDA Clears Weight-Loss Drug for Sleep Apnea. Credit | Getty images

United States: For the first time a drug solely for OSA in adult patients with obesity has been approved by the FDA giving Zepbound by Eli Lilly the green light for use. This revolutionary approval brings a new treatment for a disease that has an impact on the lives of millions of people in the United States, as reported by The Hills.

A review of obstructive sleep apnea

OSA is another SDB that manifests through brief interruptions of the breathing during the night from which an individual suffers. This is manifested in factors like loud breathing while asleep, interrupted breathing, waking up frequently at night and excessive sleepy feeling during day time. If OSA is not treated it can lead to other serious health consequences such as cardiovascular related diseases.

Dual Benefits for OSA and Weight Loss

Zepbound is the first medication shown to significantly improve moderate-to-severe OSA while promoting long-term weight loss in adults with obesity. Nearly half of the clinical trial participants experienced such significant improvements that they no longer exhibited OSA symptoms, according to Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA.

How Zepbound Works

The drug works by activating specific hormone receptors to suppress appetite and reduce food intake. By addressing obesity, a key factor in OSA, Zepbound helps alleviate the condition’s symptoms. Clinical trials involving 469 adults without Type 2 diabetes demonstrated its effectiveness in improving OSA while supporting weight loss, as reported by The Hills.

A New Era in Sleep Apnea Treatment

“This approval represents a critical step forward in reducing the burden of obstructive sleep apnea and its associated health challenges,” said Dr. Sally Seymour, director of the FDA’s Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical Care. With over 25 million Americans affected by OSA, Zepbound offers new hope for managing this challenging condition.

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