Treatment Overview
While there isn’t a cure for sleep apnea, several drugs can help manage symptoms. Typically, these drugs are used in conjunction with other therapies including surgery or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Common Prescription Medications
For sleep apnea, the most often prescribed drugs are:
Brain Stimulating Medications
These drugs function by encouraging the brain to maintain an open airway while you sleep. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) and modafinil (Provigil) are two examples of stimulating drugs.
Understanding Provigil
A stimulant drug called Provigil (modafinil) is used to treat shift work sleep disorder and narcolepsy patients who have excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Although it is not FDA-approved, it is occasionally used off-label to treat sleep apnea.
How Provigil Works
Provigil functions by boosting the brain’s production of certain neurotransmitters, which can enhance alertness. It may also aid in lowering the frequency of nighttime awakenings caused by sleep apnea.
Provigil Side Effects
Provigil may, however, also cause adverse effects including headaches, sleeplessness, and anxiety. It’s crucial to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Provigil for sleep apnea with your doctor.
Decongestant Medications
These drugs work to keep the airways open while you sleep by reducing swelling in them. Decongestants include phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).
About Pseudoephedrine
A decongestant called pseudoephedrine is used to treat sinus and nasal congestion. Although it is not FDA-approved, it is occasionally used off-label to treat sleep apnea.
Pseudoephedrine Mechanism
By constricting the blood vessels in the sinuses and nose, pseudoephedrine acts. This may aid in clearing the airways and reducing edema. This may facilitate better breathing as you sleep.
Pseudoephedrine Considerations
But pseudoephedrine can also cause adverse symptoms including headaches, sleeplessness, and anxiety. It’s critical to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using pseudoephedrine to treat sleep apnea with your physician.
Muscle Relaxant Medications
These drugs aid in the relaxation of the airway’s muscles, keeping it open as you sleep. Two examples of muscle relaxants include baclofen (Lioresal) and tizanidine (Zanaflex).
Understanding Zanaflex
A muscle relaxant called Zanaflex (tizanidine) is used to alleviate pain and spasms in the muscles. Although it is not FDA-approved, it is occasionally used off-label to treat sleep apnea.
How Zanaflex Works
The way that Zanaflex acts is by causing all of the body’s muscles, including those in the airway, to relax. This can lessen breathing difficulties and aid to maintain an open airway while you sleep.
Zanaflex Side Effects
But there are additional potential negative effects of Zanaflex, such dry mouth, lightheadedness, and sleepiness. It’s critical to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Zanaflex to treat sleep apnea with your physician.
Medical Consultation Importance
It’s crucial to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of any drug with your doctor before using it. Headache, sleeplessness, and anxiety are among the adverse effects of medications used to treat sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Modifications
Making lifestyle adjustments to assist improve your sleep is crucial if you are thinking about taking medication for sleep apnea. Some of these changes include:
Recommended Changes
Getting in shape
Staying away from sedatives and alcohol before bed
sleeping on your side
Establishing a calming nighttime routine
Final Note
Although sleep apnea is a dangerous illness, it is curable. To get a diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea, it’s critical to visit a physician.
