Health Canada has approved the weight-loss drug Zepbound for treating obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, making it the first GLP-1 medication authorized for the sleep disorder in the country.
Obstructive sleep apnea, often linked to obesity, causes breathing pauses due to airway blockages, leading to daytime sleepiness and increased cardiovascular risks.
The active ingredient tirzepatide reduces appetite by acting on GLP-1 and GIP receptors, promoting weight loss.
Clinical trials showed patients on Zepbound experienced 25 to 29 fewer breathing interruptions per hour than those on placebo, a significant improvement that could downgrade severity from severe to moderate or mild.
Doctors emphasize the drug is not a replacement for CPAP machines, which remain first-line therapy for moderate to severe cases. Patients should consult their physician before stopping CPAP.
Eli Lilly's tirzepatide competes in the booming GLP-1 market with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation; more serious but rare risks involve pancreatitis and gallstones.