Short answer: no. As of November 9, 2026, Foundayo is not approved to treat sleep apnea. Eli Lilly said that day that its oral weight-loss drug significantly reduced breathing interruptions in a late-stage trial, but those results are the company’s own, and Lilly plans to seek US approval for that use by the end of 2026.
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What Lilly reported about Foundayo and sleep apnea
The Reuters report on the trial says the study enrolled 712 adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) across two studies. One group had 363 people who were unable or unwilling to use PAP therapy, and the other had 349 people who were using PAP before and during the study. Reuters notes that the numbers come from Lilly, and that the full peer-reviewed results were not reported in its article.
| Measure (as Lilly reported it) | Participants not using PAP | Participants using PAP |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing interruptions during sleep | Down by up to 44% after 52 weeks | Down by 27.5% |
| Oxygen drop during sleep (how much and how long oxygen levels fall) | Down 55.9% | Down 45.8% |
| Average weight lost over the study | About 28 pounds, regardless of PAP use | |
“Up to 44%” is the largest reduction Lilly gave for that group, so it is a ceiling, not a typical result for everyone. Breathing interruptions are the pauses that define sleep apnea. The NHLBI sleep apnea guide describes it as a common condition in which breathing stops and restarts many times while you sleep.
Is Foundayo approved for sleep apnea?
No. Reuters reports that Foundayo belongs to the GLP-1 class and was approved for weight loss earlier in 2026. As of November 9, 2026, Lilly says it plans to seek US approval for the sleep apnea indication by the end of 2026. Until that approval is granted, Foundayo is not approved for sleep apnea.
If an ad, video or seller suggests otherwise, check the approved uses on the drug’s label and ask your prescriber what an approval covers.
Which drug is approved for sleep apnea?
Zepbound is. The MedlinePlus sleep apnea overview reports that in December 2024 the US Food and Drug Administration approved tirzepatide (Zepbound) for treating moderate to severe OSA. Reuters calls it the first approved drug for OSA.
Why weight is part of this: the NHLBI guide lists obesity, along with large tonsils and changes in hormone levels, as factors that can narrow your airway.
What is sleep apnea, and why treat it?
In OSA, the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep. MedlinePlus lists loud snoring, gasping and daytime sleepiness as common signs, and notes that a sleep partner often notices them before the person does. Sleep apnea is confirmed with a sleep study, done at home or in a sleep lab, according to MedlinePlus. NHLBI research notes that around 90% of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed.
Leaving it untreated carries real risks. NHLBI says untreated sleep apnea increases the risk for stroke and heart attack, and can affect concentrating, decision-making and memory. MedlinePlus says untreated OSA may lead to or worsen heart arrhythmias, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke, and may cause anxiety and depression. Daytime sleepiness from it can increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
For mild sleep apnea, MedlinePlus says lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms.
What doctor treats sleep apnea?
MedlinePlus advises talking with a provider who specializes in sleep problems before trying treatments that have less support. Contact your health care provider if you feel very tired and sleepy during the day, or if you or your family notice symptoms of OSA.
How does PAP therapy compare with Foundayo?
Reuters describes PAP therapy as a mask that delivers steady airflow, and calls it the typical treatment for sleep apnea. MedlinePlus says CPAP works well for most people, and that getting used to it can take time, with follow-up and support from a sleep center helping. NHLBI notes that many people find it hard to stick with PAP long-term.
| Option | Status as of November 9, 2026 |
|---|---|
| PAP therapy (CPAP) | Typical treatment; works well for most people, per MedlinePlus |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | FDA-approved for moderate to severe OSA (December 2024) |
| Foundayo | Not approved for sleep apnea; Lilly plans to seek approval by the end of 2026 |
| Dental devices | May help some people, per MedlinePlus |
| Lifestyle changes | May help relieve symptoms in people with mild sleep apnea, per MedlinePlus |
| Surgery | Often a last resort when other treatments have not worked and symptoms are severe, per MedlinePlus |
Can you treat sleep apnea at home or without CPAP?
MedlinePlus lists lifestyle steps that may help: avoid alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy before bedtime, since they can make symptoms worse; avoid sleeping on your back; and lose excess weight. For how alcohol and sleep aids interact, the melatonin and alcohol guide covers the safety side.
Dental devices may help some people by keeping the jaw forward and the airway open during sleep. Surgery is usually considered when other treatments have not worked. MedlinePlus lists options such as removing extra tissue at the back of the throat, removing the tonsils and adenoids, and implanting a pacemaker-like device that stimulates the throat muscles. It also notes that surgery may not completely resolve OSA and may have long-term side effects.
MedlinePlus says other treatments may be available, but there is less support that they work. Talk with a provider who specializes in sleep problems before you try them.
If you have seen CBD sold for sleep, the cbd for sleep guide looks at what research shows about cannabidiol and insomnia, a different condition from sleep apnea.
Can treating sleep apnea help with weight, blood pressure or heart problems?
Lilly’s figures list weight loss and breathing results together: participants lost about 28 pounds on average, regardless of PAP use. The NHLBI guide also reports a partnership study that found weight loss reduced sleep apnea better than a diabetes education program. Reuters says the full peer-reviewed results were not in its article, so the full study is where to look for how the two changes relate.
Whether treating sleep apnea lowers blood pressure, may help address heart failure, lowers cholesterol, may help address diabetes or stops atrial fibrillation is a question for your prescriber. What MedlinePlus lists are the risks of leaving OSA untreated, including heart arrhythmias, heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke, along with anxiety and depression.
Questions to bring to your prescriber
This is general information, not medical advice. Your prescriber can judge what fits your health.
- Do my symptoms point to sleep apnea, and do I need a sleep study?
- Which options fit my case: PAP, a dental device, lifestyle changes or surgery?
- Would an approved medicine for weight or sleep apnea be an option for me?
- What heart or blood pressure risks would apply to me if sleep apnea stayed untreated?
Talk with your prescriber before you change or stop any medicine, including because of trial news.
By HealthDataConsortium.org Research Team
