Shaquille O’Neal says a GLP-1 medication called Zepbound has helped reduce his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms and support weight loss. The NBA Hall of Famer, who was diagnosed with moderate OSA after an overnight sleep study in 2011, says he ignored early advice for years before deciding to take his health more seriously.
Early struggles and a turning point
After his diagnosis, O’Neal tried treatments but did not use them consistently, and his snoring and daytime fatigue got worse. Friends even recorded his snoring, which helped convince him to revisit his care. At his doctor’s recommendation, he began taking Zepbound and reports fewer breathing interruptions during sleep and an overall improvement in symptoms.
What Zepbound is and why it may help
Zepbound is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is currently the only prescription medication approved by the FDA for treating moderate to severe OSA in adults living with obesity. Experts explain that obesity — especially excess fat around the neck — can narrow the airway and make it more likely to collapse during sleep. Repeated collapse causes brief breathing pauses, drops in oxygen, loud snoring, and daytime sleepiness. Over time, untreated OSA raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other serious conditions.
Clinicians note that weight loss can meaningfully lessen OSA severity. Losing about 10 to 15 percent of body weight may cut disease severity by as much as half for people with moderate obesity, making medications that produce weight loss a promising component of treatment.
Not a one-size-fits-all solution
While Zepbound can help by targeting obesity, physicians emphasize that OSA treatment is often personalized. Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, remains the gold standard because it mechanically keeps the airway open during sleep. Many patients, however, struggle with CPAP adherence — estimates suggest only 40 to 70 percent use it consistently as prescribed — so additional options are welcome.
Even when taking Zepbound, some people will still need CPAP, particularly while losing weight or when anatomical factors such as a small jaw contribute to airway obstruction. New medications and other therapies are expanding the toolbox for patients and clinicians, but a doctor should guide decisions about combining or transitioning treatments.
Lifestyle changes remain essential
O’Neal underscores that medication works best alongside diet and exercise. After starting Zepbound, he adopted a reduced-calorie, higher-protein eating plan and changed long-standing habits. He cut back on fast food and refined carbohydrates, now favoring chicken, fish, and lean steak, and has added regular cardio including elliptical workouts and biking.
Clinicians stress that obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease and that maintenance strategies are crucial. Many people regain weight after stopping therapy, so ongoing medical follow-up is important. That can include reducing medication doses when appropriate, switching or combining drugs, and continuing lifestyle measures to preserve long-term benefits.
Using his platform to raise awareness
O’Neal is sharing his experience to encourage others — particularly men who might delay seeking care — to talk with healthcare professionals if they snore loudly, feel sleepy during the day, or have other OSA symptoms. For him, the motivation goes beyond symptom relief: he wants to be healthier and present for his family, imagining a future where he can enjoy grandchildren.
Bottom line
Zepbound helped Shaquille O’Neal by addressing weight, which in turn eased his obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. It is an FDA-approved option for adults with obesity and moderate to severe OSA, but it is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes and used under medical supervision. CPAP remains an important treatment for many patients, and physicians can tailor a plan that may include medications, devices, and long-term maintenance strategies to manage both OSA and obesity.