Zepbound: A Potential Solution for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Reveals Drug Manufacturer
Discover how Zepbound, a well-known weight loss drug, is showing promising benefits for individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea according to Eli Lilly's recent announcement.
Zepbound, a well-known weight loss medication, may also benefit individuals who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, according to a statement from Eli Lilly, the drug manufacturer.
The company announced that they intend to present data from clinical trials involving individuals with sleep apnea to the US Food and Drug Administration in hopes of potentially broadening the approved use of Zepbound to include treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Injection pens move along a conveyor at the Novo Nordisk A/S production facilities in Hillerod, Denmark on June 12, 2023. The success of Novo's bestsellers Ozempic and Wegovy drugs that help people lose significant amounts of weight, has created something of a gold rush in the pharma industry with about 40 companies developing products that will intensify competition.
At the Novo Nordisk A/S production facilities in Hillerod, Denmark, injection pens are seen moving along a conveyor on June 12, 2023. The popularity of Novo's top-selling drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, which aid in weight loss, has sparked a frenzy in the pharmaceutical industry. Approximately 40 companies are now working on developing similar products, leading to increased competition in the market.
Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg/Getty Images
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where individuals experience brief pauses in breathing while asleep, often occurring multiple times in an hour. This can lead to disrupted sleep patterns as the brain wakes the person up when breathing stops. Moreover, this disorder can increase the risk of developing serious health issues like heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 100 million individuals worldwide are affected by this condition.
As people age, they are more susceptible to obstructive sleep apnea, especially when they gain weight and become overweight or obese. Excess fat around the upper airway can block normal breathing, leading to the development of this condition. Past research has indicated that weight loss can be beneficial in improving sleep apnea.
In November, the US Food and Drug Administration gave approval for Zepbound to address obesity. This medication contains tirzepatide as its active ingredient, which was initially sanctioned in 2022 to manage type 2 diabetes under the name Mounjaro. Some medical professionals have been recommending the weekly injection off-label to individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, while Lilly has been conducting trials on the drug's effectiveness for this condition since June 2022.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 09: In this photo illustration, Avkare metformin ER 500 mg tablets are shown on July 09, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. Avkare and several other distributors are recalling the drug, which is used to treat people with type 2 diabetes, after high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurities, a known carcinogen, have been found in the tablets. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Avkare metformin ER 500 mg tablets are shown in this photo illustration taken in Chicago, Illinois. The drug is commonly used to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes. Recently, Avkare and other distributors have issued a recall for the tablets due to the discovery of high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurities, which is a known carcinogen.
Scott Olson/Getty Images/FILE
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The company shared early findings from their research on Wednesday. The studies revealed that obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea experienced better sleep apnea symptoms after taking the drug compared to those who did not. Over 400 individuals took part in the trial.
One study examined the impact of a drug on individuals who were either unwilling or unable to utilize positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. PAP therapy involves a machine that delivers pressurized air into the airway to prevent breathing issues during sleep. Some individuals struggle to sleep with the device, which requires wearing a mask or nosepiece. Another study focused on a group of individuals who currently used or planned to continue using the PAP machine.
In late-stage trials, it was observed that individuals experienced fewer breathing events while sleeping when they took the drug, compared to those who did not. The difference in results between individuals using PAP therapy and those not using it was minimal.
Participants who took the medication in this part of the study experienced weight loss. They achieved an average body weight reduction of over 18% from the beginning of the trial. In comparison, those who received a placebo only lost 1.3%, according to the company.
After a year, individuals with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea who took the medication without PAP therapy observed a significant decrease in events per hour. They saw a reduction of 27.4 events per hour, whereas those who were given a placebo only had a reduction of 4.8 events per hour.
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In the second study, participants who used or planned to use PAP therapy and took the drug experienced a slightly larger reduction in the number of events while they were sleeping. Those who took the drug saw an average reduction of 30.4 events per hour at 52 weeks, compared to just six events per hour for those who received a placebo. Additionally, those on the drug saw a weight reduction of 20.1% from their baseline, in contrast to 2.3% among those taking the placebo.
The results of the study have not yet undergone peer review or been published in a medical journal. Eli Lilly informed CNN that they are currently evaluating the results and plan to share more details at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association in June.
CNN’s Meg Tirrell and Amanda Sealy contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The potential of Zepbound to alleviate obstructive sleep apnea is a promising development in the treatment of this common disorder. The clinical trials conducted by Eli Lilly demonstrate that the drug can effectively reduce breathing events during sleep, particularly in individuals who are unable or unwilling to use PAP therapy. The significant weight loss observed among participants is an added benefit, as excess weight is a major contributing factor to sleep apnea.
Further research and peer-reviewed publication of the study results are necessary to fully evaluate the efficacy and safety of Zepbound for sleep apnea. However, the early findings suggest that it may offer a valuable new option for individuals struggling with this condition. It is important to note that Zepbound is currently only approved for weight loss and should not be used for sleep apnea without consulting a healthcare professional.
