Tirzepatide gains US Food and Drug Administration approval for the management of obstructive sleep apnea

Jun 26, 2025Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)

Tirzepatide approved by FDA for treating obstructive sleep apnea: What oral health care providers need to know

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Abstract

In 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration approved tirzepatide for managing obesity in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for effective management of obstructive sleep apnea, involving lifestyle changes, medications, oral appliances, and surgery tailored to individual needs.
Tirzepatide has been shown to promote weight loss, which may lead to a reduction in breathing interruptions and improved sleep quality for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Dental care providers can play a critical role in identifying patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea and should be aware of craniofacial features associated with airway obstruction.
Tirzepatide could impact oral health management, particularly regarding periodontal disease, dental implants, and orthodontic care.
Collaboration between dental care providers and other health care professionals is important for comprehensive patient care in obstructive sleep apnea management.

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BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition characterized by repeated airway collapse during sleep, leading to breathing interruptions. OSA increases the risk of developing hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory complications, reducing overall health and quality of life. The authors aimed to provide oral health care providers with an update on the US Food and Drug Administration-approved medication tirzepatide (Zepbound; Lilly) and its implications for multidisciplinary OSA management and oral health care-related services.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: A comprehensive MEDLINE search was conducted, and original research articles and systematic reviews related to OSA and tirzepatide were reviewed.

RESULTS: A multidisciplinary approach involving lifestyle modifications, pharmaceutical interventions, oral appliance therapy, and surgical options tailored to patient-specific needs is required for effective management of OSA. In 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration approved tirzepatide for managing obesity in adults with OSA. By means of promoting weight loss, tirzepatide has been found to reduce breathing interruptions and enhance sleep quality. Although dental care providers do not prescribe tirzepatide, they play a critical role in early identification and referral of patients at risk of experiencing OSA through clinical screening. They recognize craniofacial features associated with airway obstruction, provide oral appliance therapy, and collaborate closely with health care providers.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Tirzepatide offers a novel approach to managing OSA by means of targeting metabolic and inflammatory factors that contribute to this condition. It has the potential to affect oral health, including the management of periodontal disease, dental implant procedures, and orthodontic interventions. Dental care providers should consider patient-centered needs and the interrelationship between systemic health and oral health.

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Tirzepatide gains US Food and Drug Administration approval for the management of obstructive sleep apnea

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