Could a new drug replace the traditional mask and breathing device used to control sleep apnea? Results of a recent study by researchers in Germany have shown medication may be a viable alternative.
For now, treatment for patients with sleep apnea involves an oral appliance or a continuous positive air pressure mask — also known as a CPAP. Both devices help to maintain an open airway and prevent breathing pauses during sleep.
Now, a drug is also showing some effectiveness. The treatment involves carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that helps strike a balance between carbon dioxide and carbonic acid in the body. In a clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive either larger or smaller doses of carbonic anhydrase, while others got a placebo.
Overall, the treatment reduced the number of breathing pauses and boosted oxygenation during sleep. Among patients who received the higher dose of the drug in a four-week study, breathing pauses decreased by about 20 per hour. One-third of the patients in the study had their breathing pauses drop by 50%. For one in five patients, breathing pauses fell by 60%.
Researchers are especially encouraged by the findings because carbonic anhydrase is already being used to treat epilepsy, glaucoma and other disorders. Its current use in humans could potentially accelerate its use as sleep apnea therapy.
While sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, strokes, obesity and diabetes, many mask users find their devices uncomfortable or intrusive. Ultimately, that affects how often the devices are used. That’s why researchers believe a sleep apnea pill could one day be a game-changer.