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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Pharmacotherapy in obstructive sleep apnoea: a clinical guide
Shashank Shastry1, John R Kimoff2, Lancelot Mark Pinto3,4
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|August 5, 2026
Summary
New pharmacotherapies offer promising alternatives for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) management beyond traditional CPAP. These treatments target various mechanisms to improve OSA severity and sleep quality, aiding clinicians in patient care.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent, underdiagnosed condition with serious health consequences.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment but faces challenges in adherence and accessibility.
- There is a clinical need for diverse therapeutic options for OSA management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review non-CPAP pharmacotherapeutic options for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
- To provide clinicians with an updated overview of available pharmacologic treatments for OSA.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Studies focused on non-CPAP pharmacotherapeutic modalities for OSA were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Emerging therapies like atomoxetine-oxybutynin and topiramate show potential in reducing OSA severity and enhancing sleep quality.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, tirzepatide) offer benefits beyond OSA severity reduction.
- Other agents including sulthiame, solriamfetol, pitolisant, modafinil, and armodafinil demonstrate efficacy for OSA symptoms and sleepiness.
Conclusions:
- This review offers a practical, endotype-aligned summary of pharmacologic treatments for OSA.
- Clinicians can utilize this information to select appropriate pharmacotherapies based on patient endotypes.
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