Using acetazolamide to treat central sleep apnea in patients with opioid use disorder

Impact of Acetazolamide on Central Sleep Apnea Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

PHASE2 · University of Pittsburgh · NCT06521476

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

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh (other)
Locations1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT06521476 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients on medication for opioid use disorder who also have central sleep apnea.

Not a fit: Patients with sleep-related hypoventilation or other causes of central sleep apnea may not benefit from this study.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Central Sleep Apnea Comorbid With Opioid Use, Acetazolamide, Opioid Use Disorder, Medication for opioid use disorder, Methadone, Buprenorphine

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.