Epilepsy medication shows promise of treating sleep apnoea symptoms: Study

New Delhi: An international study found that sulthiame, a medication drug used for epilepsy, may significantly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnoea by helping prevent temporary breathing stoppages.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common breathing problem causing loud snoring, breathing pauses, and frequent awakenings, says the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England. It can lead to tiredness and increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

The study tracked patients' breathing, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, eye movements, and brain and muscle activity at the start, after four weeks, and after 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, those taking sulthiame had up to 50% fewer breathing stops and higher blood oxygen levels, with the most significant effects seen at the highest doses.

Prof Jan Hedner, from Sahlgrenska university hospital and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said, “The findings suggest sulthiame could be an effective treatment for the condition, and a larger study is needed to confirm its beneficial respiratory effects on a larger group of sleep apnoea patients.”

Erika Radford, the head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, commented that these findings are a significant step towards moving from breathing equipment to drug-based treatment. “This potential alternative to the current main treatment would make it easier for people to manage their condition,” she added.

Dr Sriram Iyer, a consultant respiratory and sleep physician and president-elect of the Royal Society of Medicine’s sleep medicine section, said, “This is an important study highlighting that drug therapy for sleep apnoea is not far off from being a reality.”

The researchers conducted a randomised controlled trial with nearly 300 sleep apnoea patients from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Spain who did not use CPAP machines. They were divided into four groups and given either one of three strengths of sulthiame or a placebo.

At the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, new findings suggested alternatives for those who can't use CPAP machines for sleep apnoea. Prof Jan Hedner from Sahlgrenska University Hospital noted that while CPAP is the standard treatment, many find it hard to use long-term, highlighting the need for other options.

“More studies are needed to explore long-term benefits, side effects, and which patients might benefit most. However, it’s crucial to remember that sleep apnoea is often linked to obesity, and addressing this should be the main focus,” she added.