TORONTO, June 24, 2026 – Health Canada has approved the prescription drug Zepbound for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults who also have obesity. People currently using continuous positive airway pressure machines, waiting for sleep testing or suspecting they may have sleep apnea should note that the approval does not apply to everyone who snores or is overweight. It also does not mean patients should stop using their existing breathing devices on their own.
The approved patient group includes adults with a body mass index of 30 or higher who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The medication is injected once a week and must be used alongside reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity. People with mild sleep apnea, no confirmed diagnosis or a body mass index outside the approved criteria should not determine on their own that the medication is suitable based only on symptoms.
Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing or reductions in airflow during sleep. Some patients may experience daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, morning headaches or loud snoring. Canadian public health guidance indicates that treatment should be based on the severity of the condition, and continuous positive airway pressure, commonly known as CPAP, remains the most widely used treatment.
Related clinical trials studied both patients who were using positive airway pressure therapy and those who were not. After one year of treatment, both groups experienced reductions in the number of nighttime breathing interruptions. However, this does not mean every patient can completely stop other forms of treatment. Decisions about adjusting CPAP machines, oral appliances or other treatments should be made by a doctor based on symptoms, sleep test results and the patient’s response to treatment.
Health Canada’s approval of a medication also does not mean provincial public drug plans or private insurance providers will immediately cover its cost. The Canadian Drug Agency’s reimbursement review of the medication for sleep apnea is currently listed as under review, and coverage may vary by province and insurance plan.
Patients with an existing diagnosis can ask their family doctor or sleep specialist to confirm whether their condition severity, body mass index, current medications and other health conditions meet the assessment criteria. People using CPAP should not stop treatment after seeing news about the new medication. Those who have not been diagnosed but regularly experience choking or gasping during sleep, severe daytime sleepiness or similar symptoms should first undergo a proper medical assessment rather than directly requesting a prescription.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
