How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. This is often due to blocked or narrowed airways and may lead to oxygen deprivation.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea may include:

• loud snoring
• gasping or choking during sleep
• daytime fatigue
• difficulty concentrating
• morning headaches
• excessive daytime sleepiness

Although sleep apnea is primarily managed with CPAP therapy, your healthcare professional may also recommend over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications to relieve apnea-related daytime sleepiness, improve alertness, and enhance overall quality of life.

Because overweight, a sedentary life, and other chronic conditions may worsen sleep apnea, focusing on lifestyle changes like weight management and positional therapy (ways to keep a person on their side while sleeping) may also significantly improve your symptoms.

Common medications for sleep apnea

Medications do not treat sleep apnea directly. Your healthcare team may recommend one or more of these medications to manage related symptoms, though.

Sleep apnea may involve significant respiratory stress, or slow and shallow breathing that may increase your chance of death. That’s why it is essential that you discuss all supplements as well as OTC and prescription medications with your healthcare professional. This will help you avoid interactions or worsen respiratory symptoms.

If you are managing other health conditions with medications, your healthcare team needs to be aware that you have a sleep apnea diagnosis. This will help them avoid prescribing drugs that may slow down your breathing and increase your chance of sleep apnea complications.

Central nervous system stimulants

• What they do: They may help you stay awake and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness, which is common in sleep apnea.
• Common examples: Modafinil (Provigil) and armodafinil (Nuvigil)
• Side effects: You may experience headaches, nausea, nervousness, or difficulty sleeping. 
• Precautions: If you have a history of heart concerns or high blood pressure, your doctor may not recommend these medications or may provide you with a list of precautions.

Methylxanthine bronchodilators

• What they do: These medications relax the muscles in your airways, making breathing easier during sleep and reducing the frequency of apnea events.
• Common example: Theophylline (Theo-24)
• Side effects: You may experience nausea, headache, or heartburn. High dosages may lead to more severe side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, and tremors.
• Precautions: If you have liver disease, heart issues, or seizures, this medication may interact with your medications. The drug may also interact with caffeine. Your doctor may advise you on how and when to take this drug.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

• What they do: These medications work by blocking the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, decreasing the production of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions in the body. This helps you reduce the number of central sleep apnea events by stimulating breathing control during sleep.
• Common example: Acetazolamide (Diamox)
• Side effects: Common side effects may include frequent urination, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. More severe side effects include electrolyte imbalances and kidney stones.
• Precautions: If you have a history of sulfa drug allergies, liver or kidney problems, and electrolyte imbalances, your doctor may go with another medication. This medication is a diuretic commonly used to treat swelling. It may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions like adrenal gland problems or severe lung disease.

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Are there over-the-counter medications for sleep apnea?

While some OTC medications and natural remedies may be marketed as sleep-related aids, no specific product treats sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and management by a healthcare professional.

In addition, some OTC medications may worsen symptoms or increase your chances of sleep apnea episodes.

Consult with your sleep apnea healthcare professional before using any OTC medications or natural remedies to avoid the risk of complications like shallow breathing.

Factors to keep in mind with products marketed as OTC or natural remedies for sleep apnea may include:

• Limited effectiveness: OTC and natural remedies for sleep disorders may not adequately address the underlying causes. They might temporarily relieve general sleep difficulties, but they won’t treat the specific breathing obstruction or airway issues related to sleep apnea.
• Delay in proper diagnosis: Relying solely on OTC or natural remedies may delay the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, including an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, daytime fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and decreased overall quality of life. 
• Safety concerns: Some OTC medications may interact with other medications or have potential side effects. Natural remedies and supplements do not undergo the same rigorous testing and regulation in the United States as prescription medications, leading to uncertainty about their safety and efficacy. In addition, some products may affect your central nervous system and respiratory capacity.

If you have concerns about sleep apnea or notice symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness, consider talking with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management advice.

Summary

Sleep apnea treatment involves a combination of nonmedical interventions and, in certain cases, prescription medications for related symptoms. The primary approach to managing sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, which helps keep the airway open during sleep. 

Additionally, a doctor may prescribe medications like modafinil and armodafinil, which help you manage symptoms related to sleep apnea.

While OTC medications and natural remedies may temporarily relieve general sleep issues, they are not considered treatments for sleep apnea. 

In fact, using any supplements, OTC products, and medications without the supervision of your sleep apnea professional is highly discouraged. Some of these may worsen your apnea symptoms and increase your chance of complications.

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