Zepbound Weight Loss Drug Reveals Potential to Treat Sleep Apnea

A new study finds that a weight loss medication called Zepbound may help improve sleep apnea in people who are overweight or obese. The study, carried out by the drug manufacturer Eli Lilly, involved more than 400 people with sleep apnea.

Study participants were randomized to receive Zepbound or a placebo. Those who took Zepbound lost weight and had a significant reduction in the number of pauses in breathing during sleep. People who took the placebo did not lose weight and had no improvement in their sleep apnea.

Results

These results suggest that Zepbound may be an effective treatment option for sleep apnea in people who are overweight or obese. The drug has yet to be approved by the FDA for this use, but the study results are promising.

It's important to note that this study was funded by Eli Lilly, maker of Zepbound. More research is needed to confirm the study results and determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of Zepbound for treating sleep apnea.

Understand what sleep apnea is

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses may last a few seconds or minutes and may occur several times a night. Sleep apnea can make a person feel tired and sleepy during the day, and can also increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop sleep apnea because excess body weight can deposit fat around the airways. This fat can narrow the airways and make it difficult to breathe during sleep.

_{Doctor explains relationship between poor sleep and weight gain (Reproduction: Instagram/@dra.rebeccatavares)}

---

Find out what to do if you have sleep apnea

In cases of suspected sleep apnea, it is important to talk to your doctor. Diagnosing sleep apnea is usually done with a sleep study, a test that records your breathing, blood oxygen levels and other vital signs while you sleep.

Advertisement

Featured photo: Woman's hand pours medicine pills out of the bottle (Reproduction: Image Bank/Freepik/jcomp)