Zepbound becomes first drug treatment for sleep apnea after FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zepbound, a weight loss drug, for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Manufactured by Eli Lilly, it is the first medication authorized for this common sleep disorder. 

Zepbound is approved for people with obesity and moderate to severe OSA. Studies showed that it improves sleep apnea symptoms more effectively than a placebo. 

The drug’s compound, tirzepatide, aids weight loss, offering a new treatment option alongside traditional methods like CPAP machines.

However, questions remain about insurance coverage, especially with Medicare, as policies on weight loss medications are being reconsidered.