Using oxytocin nasal spray to reduce CPAP pressure in sleep apnea patients
Official title: Benefits of Oxytocin in OSA Patients Using CPAP
Run by George Washington University · NCT03860233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a nasal spray with oxytocin can help people with sleep apnea use lower pressure on their CPAP machines while they sleep.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | George Washington University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 4, 2019 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03860233 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have been using a CPAP device for at least one month.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with other sleep disorders, those unable to use CPAP, or individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding 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 study investigates the effects of oxytocin administered via nasal spray on patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices. It is a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over study involving 40 participants who will alternate between oxytocin and a placebo over a 35-night period. Participants will spend three nights in a sleep lab to monitor their sleep architecture and CPAP usage, while also providing blood samples for analysis of inflammatory markers. The goal is to determine if oxytocin can lower the pressure required from CPAP machines, potentially alleviating some harmful effects of low oxygen during sleep.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to a more effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, reducing the pressure needed from CPAP machines and improving patient comfort.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of oxytocin in this context is novel, other studies have explored the effects of various treatments on CPAP efficacy, but this specific approach remains largely untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men or women 18 years of age or older. Exclusion Criteria: * subjects not willing to or otherwise unable to use CPAP for treatment of OSA. * Presence of other sleep disorders * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Women of child-bearing age (WOCBA) not willing or unable to use an accepted method to avoid pregnancy for the entire duration of the study * Prisoners or subjects who are involuntarily incarcerated * Subjects who are compulsorily detain or treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (i.e. infectious disease) illness * Patients unable to give consent because of a language barrier, or other reason.
Where it's running
-
Medical Faculty Associates
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Vivek Jain, MD — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Vivek Jain, MD
- Email: vjain@mfa.gwu.edu
- Phone: 202-741-2237
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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.