Clinical Trial Finds Sulthiame Reduces Breathing Pauses in Sleep Apnea Patients
A European clinical trial led in part by the University of Gothenburg has found that the drug sulthiame can significantly reduce breathing interruptions in people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The study, published in The Lancet, involved 298 participants across four European countries using a double-blind design. Patients taking higher doses of sulthiame experienced up to 47% fewer pauses in breathing and showed improved overnight oxygen levels. Sulthiame works by stabilizing the brain's control of breathing, reducing the likelihood of upper airway collapse, the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Most side effects were mild and temporary. The findings offer hope for a pill-based alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which many patients struggle to tolerate. Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions worldwide and is linked to increased risks of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. While CPAP remains the standard treatment, up to half of patients discontinue its use within a year due to discomfort. Sulthiame, already approved for a form of childhood epilepsy, is now being investigated as a potential pharmacological treatment for sleep apnea, with further studies planned to confirm long-term safety and effectiveness.
Clinical Trial Finds Sulthiame Reduces Breathing Pauses in Sleep Apnea Patients
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