Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing briefly stops during sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, this happens when muscles in the throat block the airways.
The most common treatment is a CPAP machine, which delivers air through a mask during the night.
However, many patients find the machine uncomfortable or disruptive.
According to researchers, this means that many people do not receive the treatment they need, HealthDay reports.
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New trial
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine tested a new pill called AD109.
The medication is designed to help keep the airways open during sleep.
The trial included 637 people with sleep apnea. Some participants received the pill, while others were given a placebo with no active medication.
Researchers examined several factors, including participants’ breathing and oxygen levels during the night.
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Promising results
The study found that people taking AD109 experienced around 44 percent fewer breathing interruptions during sleep. In the placebo group, the improvement was just under 18 percent.
Nearly 18 percent of participants achieved full control over their sleep apnea during the trial.
However, researchers also recorded side effects including dry mouth, nausea, and sleep problems.
Around one in five participants stopped the treatment because of side effects.
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The drug has not yet been approved, but the company Apnimed has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sources: HealthDay, Mayo Clinic, and American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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