Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Zepbound approved for the treatment of sleep apnea in the US

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Zepbound as the first treatment for a common sleep disorder in the US

Zepbound, whose scientific name is tirzepatid, has now been specifically approved for patients with both obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, a condition characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep.

This is the first time Zepbound has been approved for an indication other than weight loss, which could help it gain broader insurance coverage.