Using Acetazolamide to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Is this trial a fit for you?

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 aims to evaluate the effectiveness of acetazolamide, a mild diuretic, in treating adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acetazolamide or a placebo for four weeks, during which their sleep patterns and neurocognitive functions will be monitored. The study will include eligibility screenings, in-person assessments, and an overnight sleep test to ensure participants meet the criteria. The primary goals are to determine if acetazolamide improves OSA symptoms and enhances quality of life compared to placebo.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Body mass index ≤ 35 kg/m2
* Untreated moderate/severe OSA (AHI ≥15/h)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Substantial sleep hypoxemia (SpO2\<80% for \>10% of the monitoring time during the home sleep test, or for \>25% of the total sleep time during any of the in-laboratory studies)
* Abnormally low blood counts/electrolytes or renal function at baseline
* Use of OSA therapy during the past 1 month, or plans to urgently resume/(re)start clinical OSA therapy within 3 months
* Significant, uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine, renal, hepatic, neurocognitive, psychiatric, or urologic (e.g., kidney stones) disorder
* Other major sleep disorder (e.g., narcolepsy)
* Urgent need to initiate effective OSA therapy (i.e., Epworth sleepiness score \>18, commercial driver, prior sleep-related car accident, or based on MD judgment)
* Severe allergy to sulfa-drugs or taking another carbonic-anhydrase inhibitor (e.g., topiramate)
* Pregnancy/breastfeeding (current/planned)
* Prisoners
* Illicit substance abuse or \>2 standard drinks of alcohol/day
* Medications that may affect OSA or ventilatory control (e.g., opiates, sedatives)
* Thiazide/loop diuretic (risk of hypokalemia)
* Inability to give consent or follow procedures
* Safety concern based on MD judgment

Where it's running

• UC San Diego; Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute Building
  La Jolla, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Christopher N Schmickl, MD, PhD — University of California, San Diego
• Study coordinator: Pamela DeYoung, RPSGT
• Email: sleepresearch@health.ucsd.edu
• Phone: 858 246 2183

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• CES-EES score and a wearable ring for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.