New Drug Shows Promise for Sleep Apnea Patients Who Cannot Tolerate CPAP
A clinical trial found that the oral drug sultiame significantly reduced breathing pauses in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The drug could offer an alternative for the millions of patients who struggle to use CPAP machines. Sultiame is awaiting FDA approval and is not yet available in the United States.
A new oral drug called sultiame has shown significant results in a clinical trial for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to research published in May 2026. The drug reduced breathing pauses during sleep in patients with moderate to severe cases of the condition.
The findings are notable because CPAP machines, the current standard treatment for sleep apnea, are effective but difficult for many patients to use consistently. Studies suggest that up to half of CPAP users abandon the device within a year due to discomfort, noise, or inconvenience.
Sultiame works differently from CPAP. Rather than physically keeping the airway open with pressurized air, the drug acts on the nervous system to stabilize breathing patterns during sleep. Researchers say the mechanism makes it a potential option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
The trial results were reported by Woman's World as part of a roundup of 2026 health research breakthroughs for women over 50. Sleep apnea is often underdiagnosed in women, and researchers say the condition carries significant health risks including increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
Sultiame is not yet approved by the FDA and is not available in the United States. The drug is currently used in some countries to treat epilepsy, and researchers are now pursuing approval for its use in sleep apnea.
Experts caution that patients should not stop using CPAP without consulting their doctor. Anyone who suspects they have sleep apnea should seek a formal diagnosis through a sleep study.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that 30 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea, with many cases undiagnosed.
