A new drug combining existing medications could offer an alternative treatment for sleep apnea, a condition affecting millions worldwide. A study found that the nightly pill, known as AD109, reduced breathing interruptions by approximately 44% in patients who cannot tolerate or refuse to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping, and daytime fatigue. If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
CPAP machines, the current standard treatment, use a mask to keep the airway open with mild air pressure. However, the discomfort associated with wearing the mask leads many patients to stop using it, leaving a significant treatment gap. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center developed AD109, which contains aroxybutynin and atomoxetine. The drug is designed to support throat muscles, thereby reducing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep.
The six-month trial involved 646 adults with mild to severe sleep apnea across more than 60 sites in the U.S. and Canada. Participants in the trial who were given AD109 experienced a substantial decrease in the number of breathing interruptions per hour, along with improvements in other nighttime sleep issues. The study noted that the benefits were observed across diverse patient groups with varying disease severities and body types.
Dr. Patrick John Strollo, the lead author of the study, highlighted the unmet need in OSA treatment, stating that it is unusual for the majority of diagnosed patients with a chronic condition to remain untreated or undertreated. He expressed hope that an oral medication targeting the underlying causes of airway collapse could help address this disparity.