The new indication pertains to those who are overweight or obese and suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a medical disorder in which the neck muscles relax and restrict airways.
(An other kind, known as central sleep apnea, happens when the brain fails to communicate with the respiratory system in a way that controls breathing.)
Zepbound helps patients lose weight, which lessens the frequency of breathing obstructions caused by excess fat tissue, which may lead to this collapse of the airway.
“We postulated, and have now demonstrated, that by using tirzepatide to treat, some fat can be removed and the airway can remain open,” Skovronsky explains.
Skovronsky points out that the two analyses involved different groups of people, with those using PAP probably having more severe sleep apnea than those who didn’t require PAP.
In the study that supported the drug’s approval, people who used both Zepbound and PAP reported fewer breathing interruptions overall compared to those using Zepbound alone.
While it’s probably true that many patients with obesity and sleep apnea who are now using Zepbound are experiencing fewer bouts of constricted breathing, Skovronsky thinks.
The FDA’s official indication could enable more physicians and patients manage both diseases more successfully.
According to Lilly’s other research, the medication may help slow the course of renal disease and heart failure.
According to Skovronsky, “obstructive sleep apnea is still poorly diagnosed.” “However, both obesity and this illness carry cardiovascular risks, so it’s best to treat both.”
