Sleep Apnea and Zepbound
Sleep Apnea & Obesity: New Medication Coverage Options
If you struggle with obesity and sleep apnea, there's good news about a medication that might help with both conditions – and your insurance might cover it!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where you stop breathing while sleeping. These breathing pauses can happen many times each night. When this happens, the oxygen in your blood drops to dangerous levels. This can lead to health problems like high blood pressure and heart problems.
People with obesity have a much higher chance of having sleep apnea. In fact, nearly 40% of people with obesity have it. For those with severe obesity (BMI over 40), up to 90% may have sleep apnea.
Traditional Treatment vs. New Options
In the past, the main treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea was using a CPAP machine. This is a mask you wear while sleeping that keeps your airways open. While CPAP works quickly, many people find it uncomfortable and stop using it.
Now there's a new option. A medication called Zepbound (tirzepatide) has been approved by the FDA to treat people who have both obesity and moderate to severe sleep apnea.
The Zepbound Breakthrough
A recent study called Surmount-OSA found that people with obesity and sleep apnea who took Zepbound had fewer breathing pauses during sleep. This improvement was significant enough that the FDA approved Zepbound specifically for treating sleep apnea in people with obesity.
What's most exciting is that this approval opens a new door for insurance coverage. Even if your insurance doesn't cover Zepbound for weight loss alone, they might cover it for sleep apnea treatment.
A New Treatment Approach
One promising approach combines treatments:
Start with both CPAP and Zepbound
As you lose weight with Zepbound, your sleep apnea may improve
Your doctor can then check if you still need the CPAP machine
Next Steps for Patients
If you have obesity and think you might have sleep apnea (signs include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, or feeling tired despite sleeping all night), consider these actions:
Talk to your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea
If diagnosed, ask about Zepbound as a treatment option
Request a referral to a weight loss specialist who can work with your sleep doctor
Check with your insurance if they'll cover Zepbound for sleep apnea
Remember that treating sleep apnea isn't just about better sleep – it's about protecting your heart, brain, and overall health.
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong,
Dr. Leon Katz
Sources:
Health System Tracker. Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Wen J, Nadora D, Truong A, et al. (March 06, 2025) Exploring the Effects of Tirzepatide on Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Literature Review. Cureus
17(3): e80164. DOI10.7759/cureus.
file:///Users/leonkatz1/Downloads/20250405-83416-dhs9d8%20(1).pdf
Entering a New Era in Sleep-Apnea Treatment. Sanjay R. Patel, M.D. N ENGL J MED, 2024. https://mediacenteratypon.nejmgroup-production.org/NEJMe2407117.pdf
This article is strictly for educational purposes. Please speak to your healthcare professional for further information and treatment options.
