The FDA has expanded approval of Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Zepbound to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in people with obesity – the first drug approved for the condition.

The new, expanded Zepbound approval means insurers, including Medicare, will likely cover the medication for people with sleep apnea and obesity. Some insurance providers, including Medicare, do not offer reimbursement for obesity treatment alone.

The new approval applies to people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who also live with obesity. Eli Lilly estimates there are about 15 to 20 million adults in the United States

Obstructive sleep apnea is not just an inconvenience, but a serious condition that affects breathing and sleep quality. Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea are linked. People tend to improve their obstructive sleep apnea when they lose significant weight. It is likely that the weight loss associated with the medication helps improve sleep apnea.

There is currently no medication to treat obstructive sleep apnea – it is only treated with a positive airway pressure device.

In one study, people who took Zepbound had at least 25 fewer pauses in breathing per hour while sleeping. They also lost an average of 20% of their body weight.

The study also followed people over a year and found that up to half of adults who took Zepbound no longer had obstructive sleep apnea symptoms at the end of the year.

Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in men than women. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, up to 34% of U.S. men have OSA, compared to 17% of U.S. women.

Common signs of sleep apnea include heavy snoring at night, long pauses in breathing while sleeping, and excessive daytime sleepiness, forgetfulness, and morning headaches. The symptoms of the disease can lead to significant medical problems.