A new study suggests that an oral medication called sultiame may serve as an effective alternative to the standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device for treating sleep apnea. Recommended by doctors for its cumbersome nature and potential side effects, CPAP is often the go-to solution for those diagnosed with sleep apnea.
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Sleep apnea is characterized by recurrent pauses in breathing during sleep, as explained by Raj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type, caused by relaxation of throat muscles that block the airway. Risk factors include obesity and aging. Central sleep apnea, which is less common, occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to breathing muscles.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in The Lancet, participants with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who took sultiame for 15 weeks experienced up to a 47 percent reduction in breathing pauses during sleep. Additionally, their overall oxygen levels improved. Dr. Dasgupta indicates that sultiame works by slightly increasing blood acidity, which stimulates breathing and helps prevent airway collapse during sleep.
Currently, sultiame is utilized in other countries as a treatment for epilepsy but has not yet been approved for sleep apnea in the United States. Dr. Dasgupta highlighted the absence of a publicly available timeline for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, emphasizing that more clinical trials and a thorough regulatory review are necessary before it can be prescribed for sleep apnea.
Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula, a sleep medicine physician at UTHealth Houston, notes that CPAP therapy remains the gold standard for treating OSA, utilizing a device to deliver pressurized air to maintain open airways. In the meantime, patients may explore several at-home strategies to manage sleep apnea, such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol or sedatives before bed, sleeping on one's side or stomach, and using oral appliances.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, morning headaches, snoring, and gasping for air during sleep. Dr. Dasgupta advises consulting a sleep specialist for a tailored treatment plan if sleep apnea is suspected. While immediate changes are not expected in sleep apnea treatment, the promising research surrounding sultiame points to a more accessible future.