Using acetazolamide to treat obstructive sleep apnea and improve heart health
Acetazolamide for Obstructive Sleep Apnea to Improve Heart Health
PHASE2 · University of California, San Diego · NCT05616260
This study is testing if a medication called acetazolamide can help young adults with obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure breathe better at night and improve their heart health.
Quick facts
| Phase | PHASE2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 46 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT05616260 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of acetazolamide, a mild diuretic, in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in young adults aged 18 to 50 who also have high blood pressure. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acetazolamide or a placebo for two weeks, during which their sleep patterns and cardiovascular health will be monitored. The study aims to determine if acetazolamide can reduce the severity of OSA and improve blood pressure compared to a placebo. Participants will undergo eligibility screening, in-person assessments, and will wear activity trackers to measure their sleep. The trial is designed to be double-blind, ensuring that neither the participants nor the researchers know who receives the active drug or placebo.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are young adults aged 18 to 50 with untreated obstructive sleep apnea and elevated blood pressure.
Not a fit: Patients with severe uncontrolled hypertension or significant comorbid conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new, effective option for managing obstructive sleep apnea and its associated cardiovascular risks.
How similar studies have performed: While acetazolamide has been used for various conditions, this specific application for obstructive sleep apnea is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 50 years * Body mass index ≤ 35 kg/m2 * Untreated OSA (AHI ≥10/h) * Abnormal blood pressure (\>120/80mmHg, or on stable anti-hypertensive therapy for \>1month) 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) * Severe uncontrolled hypertension (\>160/110mmHg during baseline assessment; \>180/120mmHg during follow up assessments) * Abnormally low blood counts/electrolytes or renal function at baseline * Mean use of OSA therapy ≥ 1h/night during past 1 month, or plans to urgently resume/(re)start clinical OSA therapy within 2 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, zonisamide) * 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 this trial is running
La Jolla, California
- UC San Diego; Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute Building — La Jolla, California, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christopher Schmickl, MD, PhD — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Pamela DeYoung, RPSGT
- Email: sleepresearch@health.ucsd.edu
- Phone: 858 246 2183
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- 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, obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, CPAP, Acetazolamide