Zepbound: a New Hope for Sleep Apnea and Weight Management
- Jacob Paxson
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Do you wake up every morning feeling exhausted, no matter how long you slept?
Your brain feels foggy, you don’t have much energy, and simple daily tasks feel overwhelming.
This is a common occurrence for millions of people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of adults, mainly between the ages of 30-70, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night.
These pauses in breathing disrupt deep sleep and decrease oxygen levels in the body.
If left untreated, OSA can lead to severe health complications, including
high blood pressure,
heart disease,
diabetes, and
increased risk of stroke.
Many people are struggling with OSA and its complications, and don't even know it!
Approximately 30 million U.S. adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea according to the American Medical Association, but 80% of moderate to severe cases remain undiagnosed.
The American Heart Association links OSA to higher rates of
high blood pressure,
stroke,
heart failure and
coronary artery disease.
If you have untreated sleep apnea, you are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a car accident due to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Nearly 40% of people with obesity also have sleep apnea because excess weight can contribute to airway obstruction.
Treatment options are limited, and many patients are struggling despite the use of CPAP machines.
What's the good news?
Zepbound is now the first FDA-approved medication for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
The Challenges of Current Sleep Apnea Treatments
The staple treatment for OSA for many years has been the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
This machine delivers a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open.
Studies show that nearly 50% of CPAP users stop using the device within the first year due to discomfort and inconvenience.
Other treatment options may not prove to be much better either.
Some try oral appliances that help open the airway, which have not proven to be very effective.
Invasive surgeries are an option but they have risks and long recovery times.
Or weight loss interventions that can be frustrating due to difficult life changes and potentially minimal results.
Zepbound: A Game-Changer for Sleep Apnea
On December 20, 2024, the FDA approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first medication for treating moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity.
It's a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist that uses hormones our body produces to regulate appetite and metabolism.
By reducing hunger and promoting weight loss, Zepbound helps remove excess fat around the neck and upper airway which can cause sleep apnea. This medication has been studied and approved previously for weight loss which will be helpful in the treatment of sleep apnea.
OSA Clinical Trial Results
Participants who took Zepbound
Lost an average of 20% of their body weight over 72 weeks (18 months).
Pauses in breathing decreased by 29 events per hour in patients already using CPAP therapy
Pauses in breathing decreased by 25 events per hour in patients not using CPAP machines
More Results
50% of the patients taking Zepbound experienced remission (reduction or disappearance) of sleep apnea symptoms and no longer required CPAP therapy.
Patients on Zepbound reported improved scores on their sleep impairment and sleep disturbance standardized assessments.
Eligibility for Zepbound
Zepbound is approved for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight individuals (BMI ≥27) that have at least one weight-related condition, which includes sleep apnea. This medication is an injectable that is administered under the skin once weekly.
Health Outcomes from Better Sleep
Treating sleep apnea isn’t just about stopping snoring or waking up rested, this condition can lead to significant long-term health benefits:
Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: weight loss and improved oxygen levels reduce strain on the heart.
Blood Sugar Control: OSA and obesity increase insulin resistance and exacerbate diabetes.
Improved mental health: poor sleep is linked to depression, anxiety, and memory problems. Improved sleep can improve mood and brain function.
What You Can Do
Talk to your doctor: a sleep study can help diagnose OSA if you have symptoms like loud snoring, choking while sleeping, or extreme daytime exhaustion.
Prioritize healthy habits: Zepbound is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes like improved diet, exercise, and good sleep hygiene.
Book a call with our Precision Health Pharmacist: learn how changes in your genetics may be impacting your sleep and weight and how you can overcome the changes with clarity and confidence
The Future of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Many adults with OSA are struggling with ineffective or intolerable treatments. Zepbound can help those with OSA, as they try to restore healthy sleep patterns and improve overall well-being.
Sleep is a necessity and if sleep apnea has been disrupting your life, you don’t have to accept it as your new normal. Don’t let sleep apnea control your life any longer.
REFERENCES
Berg, S. What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Sleep Apnea. AMA. Published March 14, 2024. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-sleep-apnea.
American Heart Association. Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease, stroke. AHA. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease-stroke. Published August 1, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2025.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents is Higher in People with Sleep Apnea. AASM. Published February 1, 2024. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://aasm.org/risk-of-motor-vehicle-accidents-is-higher-in-people-with-sleep-apnea/.
Chia S, Giurintano J.P., Russo M. Treating Sleep Apnea When CPAP Masks Don't Help. MedStar Health. Published January 11, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/treating-sleep-apnea.
Malhotra A, Grunstein RR, Fietze I, et al. Tirzepatide for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2024;390(25):2412-2424. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2404881.
Harvard Medical School, Division of Sleep Medicine. Sleep Health Education. Harvard Medical School. Published 2024. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-86.
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