Millions around the world suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop during sleep, depriving the body of deep rest and increasing the risk of several serious health conditions.
The biggest problem is that most of these patients do not receive appropriate treatment, especially since traditional treatment relies on breathing devices that many find annoying or difficult to use.
But recent clinical trial data brought good news, showing that an old drug used to treat epilepsy may become a simple and effective solution for sleep apnea patients. In a study published in the medical journal The Lancet, Swedish researchers found that patients taking the drug Sultiame experienced significant improvements in their symptoms and sleep quality compared to those who took a placebo.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which episodes occur when the muscles of the airway relax during sleep, blocking the airway and stopping breathing for a few seconds, forcing the body to wake up to resume breathing. This cycle repeats dozens of times every hour throughout the night, depriving sufferers of deep sleep and causing a drop in blood oxygen levels. Over time, this condition increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and possibly dementia.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are the most common and effective treatment for this condition, working by keeping the airway open during sleep using pressurized air. However, despite advancements in these devices and their reduced discomfort, many patients still find it difficult to adapt to them long-term, prompting researchers to seek less invasive and easier-to-use medication alternatives.
Saltlake is not a new drug. It was developed by the German company Bayer in the 1960s to treat epilepsy, and it is still used for this purpose in many European countries.
The drug works by inhibiting an enzyme that plays an important role in regulating breathing, which helps stabilize breathing during sleep and prevents airway collapse.
The new study included 298 patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, divided into two groups: one group received a placebo, and the other received varying doses of Soltiame before bedtime. After 15 weeks, the results were promising, with the group taking the medication experiencing a significant reduction in apnea episodes, improved sleep quality, and less daytime sleepiness. In the group receiving the highest dose, the reduction in apnea episodes reached 47%.
Researcher Jan Hedner from the University of Gothenburg describes these results as a "real breakthrough," adding: "We now look forward to larger and longer studies to confirm that the effect lasts over time, and that the treatment is safe for wider groups of patients."
The researchers wrote in their study that these findings open up new horizons for treating sleep apnea patients with medication, especially for those who cannot tolerate traditional breathing devices.
It's worth noting that Soltiam isn't the only drug being developed to treat sleep apnea. In late 2024, Eli Lilly received expanded approval for its GLP-1 inhibitor Terzepatide to treat the condition as well, especially since obesity is a major risk factor for sleep apnea, and weight loss can help alleviate symptoms. The American company Apnimed is also developing other drugs that target the root causes of the problem and is preparing to submit a formal application to the FDA for approval this year.
