Health Canada approves weight-loss drug for sleep apnea in patients with obesity
Clinical trials found tirzepatide cut breathing interruptions by up to 29 an hour, and Health Canada says patients should not stop CPAP use.
- Health Canada approved the weight-loss drug Zepbound on June 11 to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, making it the only GLP-1 medication in Canada authorized for the disorder.
- Tirzepatide targets GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors to reduce appetite, addressing obstructive sleep apnea that occurs when throat muscles relax or excess fatty tissue blocks the upper airway in obese patients.
- Clinical trials showed patients on tirzepatide using a CPAP machine had 29 fewer breathing interruptions hourly compared to six for placebo, which Singh called a "meaningful change."
- Health Canada spokesperson Marie-Pier Burelle stated the drug is "not an immediate replacement" for CPAP therapy, emphasizing, "Patients taking Zepbound should not stop using their CPAP machine without a doctor's guidance."
- Dr. Mandeep Singh, who was not involved in the trials, called the approval a "welcome step," noting that physicians will include this medication among treatment options when discussing risks and benefits with patients.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Health Canada Approves Zepbound for OSA in Adults With Obesity
Tirzepatide injection becomes the first medication authorized in Canada for moderate to severe OSA, demonstrating significant reductions in breathing disruptions in clinical trials. Key takeaways: Health Canada approved Zepbound (tirzepatide injection) for adults with obesity and moderate to severe OSA. In clinical trials, adults taking Zepbound without PAP therapy had 25 fewer breathing disruptions per hour, and those on PAP therapy had 29 few…
Health Canada approves Zepbound for treating sleep apnea in adults with obesity
Zepbound is now the sole GLP-1 drug in Canada approved for treating obstructive sleep apnoea, a disorder characterised by temporary breathing cessation due to upper airway blockage. This approval marks a significant development for patients managing the condition.
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