Words by Isabel O’Brien
Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug tirzepatide has become the first medication approved by the FDA to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a common but serious sleep disorder. The approval, announced on 20 December 2024, marks a significant step for both the drugmaker and the millions of people affected by sleep apnea worldwide.
The FDA’s green light allows tirzepatide to be prescribed to adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The move opens up a new market for Lilly, which has already seen strong demand for tirzepatide as a weight-loss treatment. The approval also provides a boost for Lilly as it navigates discussions with insurers and employers, many of whom have been reluctant to cover the high-cost drug.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to briefly stop breathing during sleep, often leading to long-term health issues like heart disease. It affects around one billion people globally, yet many people continue to dismiss it as “just snoring”, as noted by Julie Flygare, CEO, Project Sleep, a nonprofit organisation.
Tirzepatide, which belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, was originally developed for type 2 diabetes. It works by reducing food cravings and slowing the emptying of the stomach, which in turn can help with weight loss.
In two clinical trials involving nearly 470 patients, the drug helped alleviate breathing difficulties and resolved sleep apnea in up to 52% of participants. It also improved markers such as low blood oxygen and high blood pressure, both of which are linked to heart disease.
The approval comes at a time when obesity treatments are increasingly in the spotlight. Although Medicare currently does not cover weight-loss drugs for the general public, discussions are ongoing about expanding coverage. If these plans move forward, it could mean more widespread access to treatments like tirzepatide, especially for older adults and those with disabilities.
