Pill for sleep apnea cuts symptoms 44% in clinical trials
A new pill was recently tested for obstructive sleep apnea, a disease that causes loud snoring. The results suggest a simpler option for patients who cannot use CPAP machines regularly.
A new pill for sleep apnea may soon offer relief to millions of people who struggle to sleep with bulky breathing machines at night.
Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that affects nearly one billion people globally, causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Patients often wake up gasping for air and may experience loud snoring, headaches, poor concentration, and extreme daytime tiredness. Over time, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, memory problems, and other serious health issues.
The findings were published in the journal American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
A SLEEP PILL THAT COULD REPLACE BULKY MACHINES
Most patients today are treated using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, which keep the airway open while sleeping. While effective, many people stop using them because they are uncomfortable and difficult to carry while travelling.
Now, researchers in the US and Canada have tested a new nightly pill called AD109 in a phase 3 clinical trial involving 646 patients with mild to severe sleep apnea. The participants either could not tolerate CPAP machines or refused to use them.
The study found that patients taking AD109 saw their sleep apnea severity fall by around 44% over 26 weeks. Nearly 42% moved into a lower severity category, while almost 18% no longer showed signs of obstructive sleep apnea by the end of the study.
MORE ABOUT THE DRUG
The drug combines aroxybutynin and atomoxetine, a medicine commonly used for ADHD. Together, they help keep the upper airway muscles active during sleep, preventing the airway from collapsing.
Patients reported only mild side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia.
Experts say the pill could become a more convenient option for people unable to use CPAP machines regularly. The US Food and Drug Administration has fast-tracked the drug’s approval, with a decision expected in 2027.
A new pill for sleep apnea may soon offer relief to millions of people who struggle to sleep with bulky breathing machines at night.
Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that affects nearly one billion people globally, causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Patients often wake up gasping for air and may experience loud snoring, headaches, poor concentration, and extreme daytime tiredness. Over time, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, memory problems, and other serious health issues.
The findings were published in the journal American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
A SLEEP PILL THAT COULD REPLACE BULKY MACHINES
Most patients today are treated using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, which keep the airway open while sleeping. While effective, many people stop using them because they are uncomfortable and difficult to carry while travelling.
Now, researchers in the US and Canada have tested a new nightly pill called AD109 in a phase 3 clinical trial involving 646 patients with mild to severe sleep apnea. The participants either could not tolerate CPAP machines or refused to use them.
The study found that patients taking AD109 saw their sleep apnea severity fall by around 44% over 26 weeks. Nearly 42% moved into a lower severity category, while almost 18% no longer showed signs of obstructive sleep apnea by the end of the study.
MORE ABOUT THE DRUG
The drug combines aroxybutynin and atomoxetine, a medicine commonly used for ADHD. Together, they help keep the upper airway muscles active during sleep, preventing the airway from collapsing.
Patients reported only mild side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia.
Experts say the pill could become a more convenient option for people unable to use CPAP machines regularly. The US Food and Drug Administration has fast-tracked the drug’s approval, with a decision expected in 2027.
