Using acetazolamide to treat central sleep apnea in patients with opioid use disorder
Official title: Impact of Acetazolamide on Central Sleep Apnea Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT06521476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if the medication acetazolamide can help people with central sleep apnea who are being treated for opioid use disorder feel better and improve their sleep quality.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 30, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 2028 |
| Study ends | February 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06521476 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are patients on medication for opioid use disorder who also have central sleep apnea.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with sleep-related hypoventilation or other causes of central sleep apnea may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effects of acetazolamide on patients with central sleep apnea (CSA) who are being treated for opioid use disorder with medications like methadone or buprenorphine. Participants will be randomized to receive either acetazolamide or a placebo for seven days, followed by an overnight sleep study to evaluate changes in breathing, sleep quality, and various physiological measures. The study aims to determine if acetazolamide can alleviate CSA symptoms and lead to improvements in anxiety, cognition, and drug cravings. By understanding the relationship between CSA and opioid use disorder, the trial seeks to identify potential therapeutic benefits of acetazolamide in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could improve sleep quality and reduce drug cravings in patients with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific combination of acetazolamide and opioid use disorder is novel, previous studies have shown acetazolamide to be effective in treating central sleep apnea in other contexts.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) with central sleep apnea. Exclusion Criteria: * Sleep-related Hypoventilation. * Other causes of Central Sleep Apnea besides Opioid Use. * Pregnancy. * Contraindications for Acetazolamide.
Where it's running
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University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sanjay R Patel, MD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Madeline Gudobba
- Email: gudobbamk@upmc.edu
- Phone: 412-648-9507
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.