What Is Zepbound for Sleep Apnea?

A poll done in 2024 showed that roughly 12% of adults have taken a GLP-1 agonist, a type of drug used for weight loss, diabetes, and other health conditions Trusted Source KFF View Source . In December 2024, a GLP-1 medication called Zepbound was approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is the first time that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug for OSA Trusted Source U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. View Source .

OSA is a Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source common sleep-related breathing disorder that can have serious symptoms and health risks when left untreated Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . Currently, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and effective OSA treatment, but not everyone with OSA can use a CPAP machine Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Two recent studies show that treating OSA with Zepbound may be a worthwhile consideration for some people who have the condition Trusted Source The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) The NEJM is recognized as one of the world’s leading medical journals. Published continuously for over 200 years, NEJM delivers high-quality, peer-reviewed research and interactive clinical content to physicians, educators, researchers, and the global medical community. View Source .

What Is Zepbound?

Zepbound is an injectable weight loss drug. Its generic name is tirzepatide. The pharmaceutical company that manufactures Zepbound also makes Mounjaro, which uses tirzepatide as an active ingredient. The FDA has approved Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for OSA.

The FDA approved Zepbound for sleep apnea for people with obesity and a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more. They also approved it for those who have those with a BMI of 30 or higher. OSA is a common symptom of obesity, and Zepbound works to improve obesity ailments by addressing weight loss. The FDA indicates that people treating OSA with Zepbound should also diet and exercise to get the best results.

How Does Zepbound Help With Sleep Apnea?

Zepbound can be used as a sleep apnea treatment by helping users lose weight. Obesity and neck circumference are contributing factors to OSA. Losing weight and neck mass helps ease the pressure that’s placed on a person’s upper airway, which can in turn decrease how often their breathing stops during sleep.

During a randomized, controlled study, the average participant lost Trusted Source Lily Investors View Source between 34 and 58 pounds and stopped breathing 20 to 23 fewer times Trusted Source The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) The NEJM is recognized as one of the world’s leading medical journals. Published continuously for over 200 years, NEJM delivers high-quality, peer-reviewed research and interactive clinical content to physicians, educators, researchers, and the global medical community. View Source during an hour of sleep than in their baseline results before taking the drug Trusted Source The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) The NEJM is recognized as one of the world’s leading medical journals. Published continuously for over 200 years, NEJM delivers high-quality, peer-reviewed research and interactive clinical content to physicians, educators, researchers, and the global medical community. View Source .

Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, promotes weight loss by mimicking a naturally occurring gut hormone Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . It sends signals to the body that suppress a person’s appetite so they feel less hungry and more full, which results in consuming fewer calories. 

Unlike CPAP therapy, Zepbound doesn’t treat the acute symptoms of OSA, like upper airway collapse, but instead targets weight loss as an underlying symptom of OSA.

What Are the Side Effects of Zepbound?

Common Zepbound side effects include Trusted Source Lily Investors View Source :

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Acid reflux
• Injection site reactions
• Drowsiness
• Hairloss

There are other less common but serious side effects associated with Zepbound. You should always talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about possible medication interferences or any side effects that develop. People who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or intending to become pregnant should also consult their physicians before taking Zepbound.

How Do You Use Zepbound for Sleep Apnea?

Zepbound is an injectable medication Trusted Source U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. View Source that should be taken once a week. It’s available as a single-dose injectable pen. There is no mixing required. Zepbound can be injected into the stomach, thigh, or arm with rotation of injection sites recommended. 

Zepbound is usually started at the lowest dose of 2.5mg and then is gradually increased to 5mg. A medical provider may decide to increase dosages by 2.5 mg to a maintenance dose of 5, 10, or 15 mg. The maximum Zepbound dose is 15 mg.

Zepbound should be stored in the refrigerator and pens or syringes need to be properly disposed of in a sharps container. To maintain the weight loss needed to help with OSA symptoms, Zepbound users should exercise regularly and consume fewer calories than they did before starting Zepbound. 

Is Zepbound Right for You?

Zepbound is an approved weight loss drug for people with a BMI of 30 or higher and as an OSA medication for people with a BMI of 27 or higher. If you fall into either of those categories, speak with your physician to find out if Zepbound is right for your needs.

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