Epilepsy Drug May Offer New Treatment for Sleep Apnoea, Study Finds

A recent study suggests that an epilepsy drug could help prevent the breathing interruptions experienced by patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, offering a potential alternative to traditional treatments.

Obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition affecting around 1 in 20 people, causes patients to snore loudly and experience repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to fatigue and increased risks of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, the research revealed that the epilepsy medication sulthiame may significantly reduce sleep apnoea symptoms. The drug could be an option for those unable to tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (Cpap) machines, the standard treatment for keeping airways open during sleep.

Prof. Jan Hedner of Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, explained that while Cpap machines are effective, many people struggle with long-term use. "There is a need for alternative treatments," Hedner stated.

The study involved almost 300 patients from several European countries who did not use Cpap machines. Participants were divided into groups and given different doses of sulthiame or a placebo. After 12 weeks, those on sulthiame had up to 50% fewer breathing interruptions and improved blood oxygen levels, with the strongest effects observed at higher doses.

Erika Radford from Asthma + Lung UK called the findings a promising step toward drug-based treatments, which could make managing the condition easier for patients. Dr. Sriram Iyer, a sleep physician, emphasized the significance of the study but cautioned that further research is needed to assess long-term effects and identify which patients would benefit most.

Dr. Iyer also stressed the importance of addressing obesity, a common factor in sleep apnoea, alongside potential drug treatments.