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​Zepbound (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Approved by Many Medicare Prescription Plans​

  • Writer: David S. Klein, MD FACA FACPM
    David S. Klein, MD FACA FACPM
  • Oct 17
  • 4 min read
Zepbound Weight Loss
Zepbound is an injectable weight loss medication. Dosage is adjusted monthly to the 'Lowest Effective Dose.'

Zepbound (tirzepatide), a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, has emerged as a significant advancement in the management of obesity and its associated comorbidities. Beyond its primary indication for weight loss, Zepbound has recently received FDA approval for the treatment of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, marking a pivotal development in the pharmacological management of this prevalent sleep disorder .


Clinical Efficacy in Weight Management


In a head-to-head clinical trial, Zepbound demonstrated superior weight loss outcomes compared to Wegovy (semaglutide). Over a 72-week period, participants treated with Zepbound achieved an average weight reduction of 20.2%, compared to 13.7% in the Wegovy group . This enhanced efficacy is attributed to Zepbound's dual agonist mechanism, targeting both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which synergistically modulate appetite and energy intake.



On December 20, 2024, the FDA approved Zepbound as the first pharmacological treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity . This approval was based on the results of the SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 clinical trials, which included two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies involving 469 adults without type 2 diabetes. 


The studies demonstrated that Zepbound significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), with reductions of up to 30.4 events per hour in participants using positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy and 27.4 events per hour in those not using PAP, compared to reductions of 6.0 and 4.8 events per hour, respectively, in the placebo groups . Additionally, up to 50% of adults treated with Zepbound no longer exhibited symptoms associated with OSA after one year .​U.S. Food and Drug Administration+2Lilly Investor Relations+2AASM+2Lilly Investor Relations



1. Dual Mechanism of Action: Zepbound's dual agonist activity on GIP and GLP-1 receptors offers a broader metabolic modulation compared to Wegovy's singular GLP-1 receptor agonism, potentially leading to greater weight loss and improved glycemic control.​Axios+2tctmd.com+2Lilly Investor Relations+2


2. Superior Weight Loss Outcomes: Clinical trials have consistently shown that Zepbound leads to greater weight reduction than Wegovy, with one study reporting an average weight loss of 50 pounds with Zepbound versus 33 pounds with Wegovy over 72 weeks .​WebMD+1Axios+1


3. Expanded Therapeutic Indications: Zepbound's approval for the treatment of OSA in adults with obesity provides an additional therapeutic benefit not currently associated with Wegovy.​People.com+4U.S. Food and Drug Administration+4Verywell Health+4


Clinical Implications

The approval of Zepbound for OSA represents a significant advancement in the management of this condition, particularly for patients with obesity who may struggle with adherence to PAP therapy. By addressing both weight reduction and OSA symptoms, Zepbound offers a comprehensive treatment approach that may improve patient outcomes and quality of life.​GoodRx+12U.S. Food and Drug Administration+12AASM+12



We are accepting new Medicare Patients, if you are interested or if you think you may benefit from Zepbound.


We follow our patients very closely for any medical problems that can arise from rapid weight loss and from the medications itself. We perform scheduled blood work to detect problems before they become larger issues.


These medications do have side effect issues, and if used carefully, intelligently and dilligently, risks are substantially minimized.


We pay very close control to preventing side effect issues, and to screen patients very carefully for potential serious complications, medication interactions and we follow our patients after weight loss is achieved to prevent recurrent weight gain.






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Orlando Florida Longwood Florida Functional Medicine Hormone Replacement Pain Medicine
David S. Klein, MD FACA FACPM

David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM

1917 Boothe Circle, Suite 171

Longwood, Florida 32750

Tel: 407-679-3337

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Orlando Florida Longwood Florida Functional Medicine Hormone Replacement Pain Medicine
David S. Klein, MD Functional Medicine Physician


References


Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

  1. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038.​Wikipedia+2New England Journal of Medicine+2New England Journal of Medicine+2


  2. Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Tirzepatide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2024;331(1):34-45.


  3. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23991.​New England Journal of Medicine+1New England Journal of Medicine+1


  4. Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, et al. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(6):503-515. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2107519.​New England Journal of Medicine


  5. Lilly's Zepbound® (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial showing an average weight loss of 20.2% vs. 13.7%. Eli Lilly and Company. December 4, 2024. Press release.​Time+4Lilly Investor Relations+4PR Newswire+4


  6. Lilly's Zepbound® (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial showing an average weight loss of 20.2% vs. 13.7%. PR Newswire. December 4, 2024. Press release.​U.S. Food and Drug Administration+5PR Newswire+5Lilly Investor Relations+5


  7. Lilly's tirzepatide superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial. Eli Lilly Canada. December 4, 2024. Press release.​Lilly


  8. Lilly's Zepbound® (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial. PR Newswire. December 4, 2024. Press release.​


  9. Lilly's Zepbound® (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial. Eli Lilly and Company. December 4, 2024. Press release.​Lilly Investor Relations


  10. Lilly's tirzepatide superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial. Eli Lilly Canada. December 4, 2024. Press release.​Wikipedia+2Lilly+2PR Newswire+2


  11. Lilly's Zepbound® (tirzepatide) superior to Wegovy® (semaglutide) in head-to-head trial. PR Newswire. December 4, 2024. Press release.​U.S. Food and Drug Administration+3PR Newswire+3Lilly Investor Relations+3


Tirzepatide for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

  1. Malhotra A, Grunstein RR, Fietze I, et al. Tirzepatide for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2024;390(25):2345-2357. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2404881.


  2. FDA Approves First Medication for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. December 20, 2024.


  3. FDA Approves Tirzepatide as First Drug for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. JAMA. 2025;323(2):123-124. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2829697.​


  4. Tirzepatide reduced sleep apnea severity by up to nearly two-thirds in adults with obesity. Eli Lilly and Company. June 21, 2024. Press release.​Lilly Investor Relations


  5. Tirzepatide Produces Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Applied Clinical Trials. June 26, 2024. Article.​Applied Clinical Trials


  6. Study Identifies First Drug Therapy for Sleep Apnea. UC San Diego Health. June 21, 2024. [Press release](https://health.ucsd.edu/news/press-releases/2024-06-21-study-identifies-first

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