Promising Results from Initial Study:

Epilepsy Medication Shows Success in

Treating Sleep Apnea
In a hospital room, an elderly patient holds a CPAP mask in her hands, ready to use it for her
treatment.
Is it time to bid farewell to the CPAP machine? U.S. News suggests it could be closer than we
think.

Let's meet sulthiame, a medication primarily used for epilepsy but now under investigation in an
early clinical trial. This trial involved approximately 60 individuals dealing with moderate to
severe sleep apnea. Three groups of individuals were created at random: a high-dose group, a
low-dose group, and a placebo group.

The results were fascinating. After just four weeks, the trial revealed improved blood oxygen
levels and a decrease in nighttime breathing interruptions. In fact, sulthiame seemed to reduce
an average of over 20 events per hour.

Wondering how it works? According to U.S. News, the drug interferes with an enzyme
responsible for maintaining a proper carbon dioxide balance in the body.

The trial also demonstrated that the drug has a favorable safety profile. There were no major
adverse events reported, although six patients chose to withdraw from the study due to side
effects. Some experienced headaches or tingling sensations on the skin, while others
encountered shortness of breath.

According to Dr. Jonathan Jun, a sleep medicine specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in
Baltimore, previous attempts with different drugs didn't yield successful outcomes. However,
when asked about sulthiame's potential, he acknowledged, "I would say there's an indication
that it reduces the occurrence of respiratory events—moments when breathing is obstructed or
becomes shallow due to sleep apnea." Dr. Jun added that it should be viewed as a "partial
solution" since the drug helps certain individuals but not everyone.

What lies ahead for the Sulthiame trial? Dr. Jan Hedner, the lead researcher, shared with U.S.
News that the upcoming phases will involve 400 patients from five European countries. Their
target is to conclude this phase by late 2022 or early 2023.