Popular weight loss drug could treat sleep apnea, company says
Newsy
Zepbound was approved last year to treat obesity. The drug's maker, Eli Lilly, says it reduces the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by 63%.
The makers of the weight loss drug tirzepatide, which is branded commercially as Zepbound, announced Wednesday the results of a Phase 3 study showing that the drug was effective in treating sleep apnea.
Eli Lilly said that 10- and 15-milligram injections of Zepbound "significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index" among those who have obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Among those in one drug study, it led to an average apnea-hypopnea index reduction of 27.4 events per hour compared to a reduction of 4.8 events per hour for those on a placebo. In a second study, Zepbound led to an average apnea-hypopnea index reduction of 30.4 events per hour compared to a reduction of six events per hour for those on a placebo. Both studies followed patients for a year.
Those who have at least 30 apnea-hypopnea index events per hour of sleep are considered to have severe obstructive sleep apnea, while those who have 15-30 events per hour have moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Eli Lilly said there was nearly a 20% reduction in weight among those in the trials.
