FDA Approves Zepbound for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

January 2, 2025

On December 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

“Today’s approval marks the first drug treatment option for certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” said Sally Seymour, M.D., director of the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical Care in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “This is a major step forward for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.”

OSA occurs when a person’s upper airway becomes blocked, causing pauses in breathing during sleep. While OSA can affect anyone, it is more common in people who have overweight or obesity. Zepbound works by activating receptors of hormones secreted from the intestine (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)) to reduce appetite and food intake. By reducing body weight, studies show that Zepbound also improves OSA.

Read more at U.S. FDA >>

Become a member

Get the tools you need to succeed in the medical spa industry.

Related
    • Cold Laser Therapy: The Science and Uses for Med Spas
    • Compounded Tirzepatide, NAD+ Injections Recalled Nationwide Over Sterility Concerns
    • Meliora Consulting Becomes Silver Vendor Affiliate with the American Med Spa Association
    • FDA Sends Peptide ‘Interim Access Policy’ to White House for Review
    • New ACOG Menopause Guidelines Expand Hormone Therapy and Symptom Treatment Recommendations