“Its important to understand OSA symptoms and know that treatments are available, including new options like Zepbound.
Lillys program to the FDA was supported by data from two phase 3 clinical trials this year.
Zepbound was about five times more effective than placebo at reducing breathing disruptions during sleep.
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Nearly half of the participants saw such significant improvement that they no longer had symptoms associated with OSA.
The First Medication for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Zepbound is the first medication approved for OSA.
The current gold standard for OSA treatment is positive airway pressure (PAP).
After one year, up to half of the adults taking Zepbound no longer had symptoms associated with OSA.
I have patients that completely cannot tolerate the CPAP machine.
Those patients may try Zepbound and see if that helps with treatment adherence.
However, some worry that the move could affect people who rely on cheaper generic versions of the drug.
Its not yet clear if health insurance companies will cover the cost of Zepbound for people with OSA.
They also received dietary and lifestyle guidance.
If pharmacologic treatment is right for you, there are other options.
Dental devices, such as mandibular advancement devices and tongue retainers, can also provide some relief.
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