Epilepsy Drug Shows Promise in Reducing Sleep Apnoea Symptoms, Study Reveals

A recent study suggests that sulthiame, a medication commonly used to treat epilepsy, may offer relief for individuals suffering from sleep apnoea. The research, presented at the European Respiratory Society meeting in Vienna, Austria, indicates that the drug could potentially reduce symptoms and improve oxygen levels in patients with this sleep disorder.

Obstructive sleep apnoea, which affects approximately one in 20 people according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England, is characterized by loud snoring, interrupted breathing during sleep, and frequent awakenings. These symptoms often lead to daytime fatigue and can increase the risk of various health issues, including hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes.

The international study involved nearly 300 patients from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Spain who were not using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Participants were divided into four groups, receiving either one of three dosages of sulthiame or a placebo.

Professor Jan Hedner from Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, who led the research, stated, “The standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea is sleeping with a machine that blows air through a face mask to keep the airways open. Unfortunately, many people find these machines hard to use over the long term, so there is a need to find alternative treatments”.

After 12 weeks, the results showed that patients taking sulthiame experienced up to a 50% reduction in instances of breathing cessation and demonstrated increased oxygen levels in their blood during sleep. The most significant effects were observed in those receiving the highest doses of the medication.

Dr. Sriram Iyer, a consultant in respiratory and sleep medicine and the president-elect of the Royal Society of Medicine’s sleep medicine section, commented on the study’s significance: “This study is pivotal in showcasing that drug therapy for sleep apnoea is on the verge of becoming a reality”.

While these findings are promising, researchers emphasize the need for larger-scale studies to confirm the positive respiratory outcomes in a broader patient population. Professor Hedner added, “Although sulthiame is already available as a treatment for childhood epilepsy, we still need to carry out a phase III study to confirm the beneficial respiratory effects of this drug in a larger group of patients with OSA”.

The potential of sulthiame as a treatment for sleep apnoea represents a significant step towards developing pharmacological alternatives to mechanical breathing devices. However, further research is required to fully understand the long-term benefits, potential side effects, and identify which patient groups might benefit most from this treatment approach.

Sources:
[1] https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-09-10/could-a-pill-help-ease-sleep-apnea
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/sep/10/epilepsy-drug-sulthiam-could-reduce-sleep-apnoea-symptoms-study-finds
[3] https://newatlas.com/medical/existing-epilepsy-drug-sleep-apnea/
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