The Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of weight loss drug Zepbound to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, the drugmaker Eli Lilly said Friday. The expanded approval could persuade more insurance companies — which have been reluctant to cover the expensive weight loss drugs — to pay for the medication. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, cutting off airflow throughout the night. The approval is based on two trials of men and women with obesity and moderate to severe sleep apnea. Other sleep apnea treatmentsMany people who have sleep apnea go undiagnosed and untreated.

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Persons: Eli Lilly, —, ” Julie Flygare, Zepbound, Susan Spratt, ” Spratt, Timothy Morgenthaler, Phillips Respironics, Morgenthaler, tirzepatide, ” Morgenthaler, Lilly, ” Organizations: Drug Administration, FDA, American Academy of, Novo Nordisk, Population Health Management, Duke Health, PAP, Mayo Clinic Locations: United States, Novo, North Carolina