Drug Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Jan Hedner; Ding Zou

doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.03.004

Drug Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Med Clin. 2018 Jun;13(2):203-217. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.03.004.

Authors

Jan Hedner¹, Ding Zou²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Center for Sleep and Vigilance Disorders, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 8B, Box 421, Gothenburg SE-40530, Sweden. Electronic address: Jan.hedner@lungall.gu.se.
² Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Center for Sleep and Vigilance Disorders, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 8B, Box 421, Gothenburg SE-40530, Sweden.

PMID: 29759271
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.03.004

Abstract

There are several reasons to develop a pharmacologic remedy in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); but so far, there is no generally effective drug available. Previous attempts to find a drug in OSA therapy were serendipity driven in small pilot trials. There is growing literature on phenotyping pathophysiologic mechanisms of OSA that may be exploited in strategic drug development programs. The current review addresses potential pitfalls encountered in previous studies and highlights several drug candidates under development in the field.

Keywords: Drug; Medication; Obstructive sleep apnea; Sleep; Therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / drug therapy
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / etiology
Humans
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / drug therapy*
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / physiopathology