Shaquille O’Neal has joined a growing list of former athletes taking GLP-1 drugs.
The Hall of Famer revealed he started taking Zepbound to combat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), something he was diagnosed with in 2011, shortly after retiring from the NBA.
The medications, initially primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes and OSA, have gained popularity for their use as weight-loss drugs.
“You know, I chose to share my experience because OSA is a serious but often overlooked condition,” O’Neal told GQ in an interview published Wednesday. “I want to help people if I can, because I can remember, especially when I stopped playing, the snoring, the daytime tiredness, a lot of fatigue, and being unable to focus. So this is very personal to me.”
The 54-year-old said he also took the drug to improve his energy and sleep as well as to sharpen his mind in retirement.
Other notable athletes promoting the use of GLP-1s include Serena Williams and O’Neal’s “Inside the NBA” panelist, Charles Barkley.
Williams, who recently returned to the professional tennis tour after four years at age 44, cited her GLP-1 treatment as significant for relieving the joint pain she experienced after giving birth to her daughter Olympia in 2017. She frequently appears in commercials for Ro.
Along with Zepbound, O’Neal said he’s made other lifestyle adjustments. He’s “eating right and staying active with a lot of walking,” he told GQ.
While currently occupied with the NBA Finals, which continue with Game 4 on Wednesday night, O’Neal remains focused on keeping himself healthy.