Health Canada has granted approval to Zepbound, making it the first treatment in Canada specifically approved for adults with obesity who have moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.
The one-a-week medication from Eli Lilly Canada has received approval for use in conjunction with a calorie-restricted diet and increased physical activity for adults with a body mass index of 30 or greater.
The approval is being touted by its maker as a milestone in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which impacts breathing during sleep and may lead to various health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and daytime fatigue.
“As the first medication approved in Canada for moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity, Zepbound represents an important new option for patients and clinicians,” Eli Lilly Canada president Mathilde Merlet said in a press release. “We will continue working with partners across the health system to support appropriate access.”
Zepbound is a tirzepatide injection that works by activating receptors of hormones secreted from the intestine and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide to reduce appetite and food intake, according to the press release from Eli Lilly Canada, the Canadian affiliate of Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable prescription medication that mimics two gut hormones—GLP-1 and GIP—to regulate blood sugar, reduce appetite, and slow digestion.
Although the medication is aimed at reducing body weight, the company said studies show that Zepbound also improves the condition because obesity and the sleep disorder are frequently linked.
Health Canada granted its approval based on results from the company’s Phase 3 clinical trials that evaluated tirzepatide use in adults with obesity and moderate-to-severe OSA.
Researchers discovered that individuals taking the medication had fewer breathing interruptions during sleep compared to those who received a placebo. Some participants experienced such an improvement in their symptoms that they were classified as mild or no longer clinically significant after one year of treatment, the company press release said.
OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissues and muscles in the back of the throat relax too much, temporarily blocking or collapsing one’s airway during sleep, resulting in frequent breathing interruptions throughout the night.
CPAP machines have served as the main treatment option for sleep apnea but maintaining long-term use can be difficult, the company said. It noted that its recent approval offers a pharmacological option that can either replace or enhance traditional airflow devices.
