( NewsNation) — Zepbound became the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat obstructive sleep apnea in obese adults earlier this month.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first prescription medicine for obstructive sleep apnea: the weight-loss drug Zepbound.

The FDA on Friday approved Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound as a treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and obesity.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of the weight loss drug Zepbound, generically known as tirzepatide, to help people treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Zepbound, Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, can now be used to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, the FDA said.

GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have helped millions of Americans lose weight and better manage their type 2 diabetes. Now, new research suggests Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound (tirzepetide) may also support those with obstructive sleep apnea by increasing airflow and improving sleep quality.

The FDA said studies have shown that by aiding weight loss, Zepbound improves sleep apnea symptoms in some patients.

Zepbound, a drug approved by the FDA, has been shown to reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in obese adults, although it is not a cure and requires weight loss to be maintained over time.

The drug is known as Zepbound and is the same as the chemical drug Tirzepatide. "See To Believe uncovers the forgotten, mind-blowing facts that will leave you questioning everything. Follow wild stories of mysterious creatures,