In December 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved another indication for tirzepatide injection (Zepbound®)—to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity (source).
The FDA noted that tirzepatide is the first medication to be approved for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (source).
Updated FDA indications for tirzepatide (Zepbound®)
According to the Prescribing Information, the wording of the updated FDA-approved indications for tirzepatide injection (Zepbound®) is as follows (the emphasis below in red has been added by us):
“ZEPBOUND® is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity:
- to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity or adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
- to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.”
In this article, let’s briefly summarize the key information that mental health clinicians should know about the potential use of tirzepatide injection for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
1. Most importantly, should we recommend it to our patients who have obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, that they should consider tirzepatide injections for their obstructive sleep apnea?
2. What should we tell our patients about how well tirzepatide works for obstructive sleep apnea?
3. What should we tell our patients about the likely effect of tirzepatide on the need for positive airway pressure treatment?
Register