Episode 125: Industry Insights: Surmount OSA Trial

In this Industry Insights episode of Obesity: A Disease, host Dr. Christopher Weber welcomes Dr. Kevin Trice, Executive Director in the Global Medical Affairs Division of Cardiometabolic Health at Eli Lilly. Dr. Trice will be speaking today on behalf of Lilly. This material is developed under the direction and sponsorship of Lilly Medical Affairs and is intended for US healthcare professional only. Dr. Trice is an employee of Eli Lilly.

Dr. Kevin Trice joins Dr. Christopher Weber for a focused discussion on the key findings from the SURMOUNT-OSA trial and their implications for clinical practice. Together, they explore how this landmark study informs the evolving management of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. This episode is sponsored by Lilly.

Episode Guest: Kevin Trice, MD, MBA

Episode Host: Christopher Weber, MD, FAAP, FACP, CSCS, DABOM, FOMA

Note From the Sponsor

*When discussing tirzepatide for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, it’s important to emphasize that its safety profile mirrors what we’ve seen in obesity and diabetes indications. The most frequent adverse events are gastrointestinal—nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation—typically emerging during dose escalation and generally mild to moderate in severity. While these symptoms often resolve over time, clinicians should monitor for persistence or intolerance, as discontinuation, though uncommon, can occur. Serious but rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease; patients presenting with severe abdominal pain warrant immediate evaluation.

Tirzepatide carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent data, with uncertain relevance to humans. It is contraindicated in individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2. Physicians should counsel patients on recognizing symptoms such as neck swelling or persistent hoarseness. Additional precautions include vigilance for severe gastrointestinal symptoms, hypersensitivity reactions, and pancreatitis. Use during pregnancy is not recommended, and effective contraception should be discussed. Finally, consider potential drug interactions and reinforce lifestyle interventions to optimize outcomes alongside pharmacotherapy.*