Weight-loss drug approved to treat sleep apnea in Canada – CBC

Sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness and is often tied to obesity

Jun 24, 2026

Health Canada has approved weight-loss drug Zepbound for treating obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

The department confirmed that the authorization granted on June 11 makes Zepbound the only GLP-1 drug in Canada approved for the sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing temporarily because their upper airway is blocked.

That blockage can happen when throat muscles relax or when there is too much fatty tissue around the upper airway.

Sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness and other potential risks, including high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, said Dr. Mandeep Singh, a clinician investigator in sleep science at University Health Network in Toronto.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/sleep-apnea-glp1-9.7247220