Weight-Loss Drugs Help Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Eli Lilly & Co.’s weight-loss drug Zepbound improved breathing problems in highly anticipated studies that may convince more insurers to cover the $1,000-a-month treatment. In two late-stage trials of patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition closely linked to obesity, Zepbound reduced the number of times breathing slowed or stopped during sleep by up to 63% from the baseline, Lilly said in a statement Wednesday. The result topped Jefferies analysts’ expectations that the trials would likely show a reduction of about 50% to 55%.  [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Patients in the 52-week studies also lost up to roughly 20% of their body weight, Lilly said.  Lilly said it plans to share full results from the trials at the American Diabetes Association conference in June. The drug giant plans to submit those results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other global regulatory agencies beginning mid-year. An approval for Zepbound to treat sleep apnea could open the door for more patients to access the treatment through insurance. Weight loss drugs like Zepbound aren’t currently covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly and some people on long-term disability. Read More: Ozempic Gets the Oprah Treatment In a New Special Regulators’ green light would also help Lilly compete with Novo Nordisk A/S, whose own blockbuster weight-loss medication, Wegovy, will now be cove...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized bloomberg wire healthscienceclimate Source Type: news