Eli Lilly announced that their popular weight loss medication, Zepbound, appears to have benefits for individuals dealing with obstructive sleep apnea.
This revelation follows successful trials targeting sleep apnea, prompting the company to prepare a submission to the US Food and Drug Administration for potential approval of Zepbound's use in treating this condition.
Zepbound's Impact on Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea often emerges as individuals age, particularly among those who experience weight gain or obesity. The accumulation of fat around the upper airway can lead to blockages, disrupting normal breathing during sleep. Past research has indicated that weight loss can contribute to an improvement in sleep apnea symptoms.
Zepbound gained FDA approval for obesity treatment in November and contains tirzepatide as its active component, previously sanctioned in 2022 under the name Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes treatment. Despite being prescribed off-label by some physicians for sleep apnea, Lilly initiated trials for this specific purpose in June 2022.
According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 39 million adults in the US experience obstructive sleep apnea. This condition occurs when the upper airway becomes obstructed during sleep, leading to interrupted airflow throughout the night. Obesity, a potential factor in narrowing the airway, can heighten the risk of developing sleep apnea.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to heart arrhythmias, heart failure, and fatal outcomes.
The company released its recent studies indicating that adults with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea experienced improvements in their condition after receiving treatment with the drug. This improvement was observed compared to a control group that did not receive the drug, with over 400 participants enrolled in the trial.
One study focused on individuals who either could not or were unwilling to use positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, a device that delivers pressurized air to keep the airway open during sleep and prevent breathing issues.
Some individuals find it challenging to sleep while using this device, which involves wearing a mask or nosepiece.
The other study included participants who used or intended to continue using the PAP machine.
The results from the late-stage trials revealed a decrease in breathing disturbances during sleep among those who received the drug compared to those who did not, with only a minor discrepancy noted between the drug group and those using PAP therapy.
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Future Prospects and Medical Insights
Participants who took the drug experienced weight loss, with an average reduction of more than 18% in body weight from the trial's initiation. In contrast, those on a placebo showed a modest 1.3% weight loss, as reported by the company.
Over a year, participants with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea who used the medication without PAP therapy experienced a significant reduction in sleep disturbance events, compared to a smaller reduction in the placebo group.
In the second study involving participants using or planning to use PAP therapy, those who took the drug showed a slightly greater reduction in sleep disturbance events.
At the 52-week mark, the drug group experienced an average reduction of 30.4 events per hour, while the placebo group had a reduction of six events per hour.
Furthermore, participants on the drug in this study saw a substantial weight reduction of 20.1% from their baseline, compared to 2.3% among those on the placebo.
These results are pending peer review and publication in a medical journal. Eli Lilly has stated that they are still evaluating the findings and plan to present detailed information at an upcoming meeting of the American Diabetes Association in June.
