A phase 2 trial found that sulthiame, an existing antiepileptic drug, can cut breathing pauses in sleep apnea by nearly half, offering a potential alternative to CPAP machines.
Clinical trial finds drug reduces sleep apnea pauses
A European phase 2 clinical trial has found that sulthiame, an existing antiepileptic drug, can cut breathing pauses in people with obstructive sleep apnea by nearly half. This result was published in The Lancet and could offer a new option for those who struggle with CPAP machines, the current standard treatment.How the drug works
Sulthiame belongs to a class of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These drugs help stabilize breathing by affecting the body’s CO2 and oxygen balance, which is a key factor in the cycle of breathing and pauses that characterize sleep apnea.Trial results and limitations
The trial, called FLOW, involved 298 adults and showed that at high doses, sulthiame reduced nighttime breathing interruptions by 47 percent and improved blood oxygen levels. However, the drug only targets one of the four mechanisms behind sleep apnea, and it did not improve daytime sleepiness or quality of life in a smaller study.Other drugs in development
Sulthiame is not the only drug being tested for sleep apnea. Apnimed is preparing to ask the FDA to approve AD109 in 2026, and Incannex Healthcare’s IHL-42X is in phase 2 trials. Tirzepatide (Zepbound), already approved for weight loss, is the first drug approved for sleep apnea, but only for obese patients.Shift toward personalized treatment
The research suggests that the future of sleep apnea treatment may involve multiple drugs targeting different aspects of the condition. For many patients, the focus is now shifting from whether an alternative to CPAP will become available to which specific treatment will work best for them and when.
