Policy & Public Health
Scientists may have found a pill for sleep apnea
A new study suggests the drug sulthiame could significantly reduce sleep apnea breathing pauses, offering a potential pill-based alternative to CPAP
A medication called sulthiame may help individuals with obstructive sleep apnea breathe more easily during the night and improve overall sleep quality. The findings come from a European clinical trial in which the University of Gothenburg played a key role. Researchers say the results suggest the potential for a drug-based treatment for patients who have difficulty tolerating breathing masks.
The study findings were published in The Lancet. A total of 298 individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea participated in the trial. About one quarter of the participants received a placebo, while the remaining participants were treated with different doses of sulthiame. The study was conducted across four European countries and followed a double-blind design, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the active medication.
Study Shows Major Reduction in Breathing Pauses
Participants who received higher doses of sulthiame experienced up to 47 percent fewer breathing interruptions during sleep compared with those who received a placebo. They also demonstrated improved oxygen levels during the night.
Sulthiame appears to work by stabilising the body’s breathing control and increasing respiratory drive. This helps reduce the likelihood of the upper airway collapsing during sleep, which is the primary cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Most side effects reported during the trial were mild and temporary.
Jan Hedner, senior professor of pulmonary medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, played a leading role in the study.
"We have been working on this treatment strategy for a long time, and the results show that sleep apnea can indeed be influenced pharmacologically. It feels like a breakthrough, and we now look forward to larger and longer studies to determine whether the effect is sustained over time and whether the treatment is safe for broader patient groups," says Jan Hedner.
Ludger Grote and Kaj Stenlöf from the University of Gothenburg also contributed significantly to the research.
Many Patients Cannot Tolerate CPAP Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. These episodes temporarily stop breathing, lower oxygen levels, and repeatedly interrupt sleep. Over time, untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Although sleep apnea is a common condition, there is currently no medication that directly targets its underlying cause. The most widely used treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. While CPAP is highly effective, many patients find it difficult to tolerate. Up to half discontinue the device within a year because the mask can feel uncomfortable or disrupt sleep.
The study findings were published in The Lancet. A total of 298 individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea participated in the trial. About one quarter of the participants received a placebo, while the remaining participants were treated with different doses of sulthiame. The study was conducted across four European countries and followed a double-blind design, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the active medication.
Study Shows Major Reduction in Breathing Pauses
Participants who received higher doses of sulthiame experienced up to 47 percent fewer breathing interruptions during sleep compared with those who received a placebo. They also demonstrated improved oxygen levels during the night.
Sulthiame appears to work by stabilising the body’s breathing control and increasing respiratory drive. This helps reduce the likelihood of the upper airway collapsing during sleep, which is the primary cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Most side effects reported during the trial were mild and temporary.
Jan Hedner, senior professor of pulmonary medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, played a leading role in the study.
"We have been working on this treatment strategy for a long time, and the results show that sleep apnea can indeed be influenced pharmacologically. It feels like a breakthrough, and we now look forward to larger and longer studies to determine whether the effect is sustained over time and whether the treatment is safe for broader patient groups," says Jan Hedner.
Ludger Grote and Kaj Stenlöf from the University of Gothenburg also contributed significantly to the research.
Many Patients Cannot Tolerate CPAP Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. These episodes temporarily stop breathing, lower oxygen levels, and repeatedly interrupt sleep. Over time, untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Although sleep apnea is a common condition, there is currently no medication that directly targets its underlying cause. The most widely used treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. While CPAP is highly effective, many patients find it difficult to tolerate. Up to half discontinue the device within a year because the mask can feel uncomfortable or disrupt sleep.
CPAP AlternativeRespiratory MedicineSleep Apnea
