Effect of Trazodone on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Effect of Trazodone on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Endotypes and Severity

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Brigham and Women's Hospital · NCT06286189

This study tests if taking trazodone before bed can help people with obstructive sleep apnea sleep better compared to a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment18 (estimated)
Ages21 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorBrigham and Women's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06286189 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the impact of trazodone on patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by conducting two overnight home sleep studies, one with trazodone and one with a placebo. Participants will be monitored using full polygraphy to assess sleep and respiratory events without the use of CPAP. Trazodone will be administered 30 minutes before sleep to evaluate its effects on OSA traits and severity. A washout period will allow for a crossover to the alternative treatment after the initial study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, characterized by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 events per hour or more.

Not a fit: Patients with other sleep disorders, significant medical conditions, or those taking medications that affect respiration may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, potentially improving their sleep quality and overall health.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of trazodone for sleep disorders is known, this specific application in obstructive sleep apnea is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15 events/hr)

Exclusion Criteria:

* All participants will be healthy and without major organ system disease that would preclude undergoing the physiological measurements.
* Use of medications expected to stimulate or depress respiration (including opioids, barbiturates, acetazolamide, doxapram, almitrine, theophylline, 4-hydroxybutanoic acid).
* Use of SNRIs/SSRIs.
* Conditions likely to affect OSA physiology: neuromuscular disease or other major neurological disorder, heart failure (also below), or any other unstable major medical condition.
* Sleep disordered breathing or respiratory disorders other than obstructive sleep apnea:
* Other sleep disorders: periodic limb movements (periodic limb movement arousal index \> 10/hr), narcolepsy, or parasomnias.
* Hypersensitivity to the study drug (angioedema or urticaria)
* Contraindications to DAW2020
* Use of medications that lengthen QTc interval
* Hypokaliemia, hypomagnesemia, uncontrolled thyroid disease
* Severe claustrophobia.

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.