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Medications for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 31, 2024.

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. It can lead to serious health issues, including cardiovascular problems, if not treated properly. The primary treatments for sleep apnea often involve lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and sometimes surgery. However, in certain cases, medications can play a supportive role.

1. Modafinil and Armodafinil
Modafinil (Provigil) and armodafinil (Nuvigil) are wakefulness-promoting agents primarily used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These medications do not treat the underlying apneas but help reduce the daytime fatigue that often accompanies the condition. They are usually prescribed when CPAP therapy does not fully resolve sleepiness.

2. Solriamfetol
Solriamfetol (Sunosi) is also used to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive daytime sleepiness due to OSA or narcolepsy. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. It is another option for patients who continue to experience sleepiness despite CPAP therapy.

3. Other medications used off-label for sleep apnea include theophylline, acetazolamide, and dronabinol.

Drugs used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Nuvigil 8.4 36 reviews for Nuvigil to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome Rx C 4
Generic name:
armodafinil systemic
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Provigil 8.4 19 reviews for Provigil to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome Rx C 4
Generic name:
modafinil systemic
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
modafinil 7.8 40 reviews for modafinil to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome Rx C 4
Generic name:
modafinil systemic
Brand name:
Provigil
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Sunosi 5.3 23 reviews for Sunosi to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome Rx 4
Generic name:
solriamfetol systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous central nervous system agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
solriamfetol 5.3 23 reviews for solriamfetol to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome Rx 4
Generic name:
solriamfetol systemic
Brand name:
Sunosi
Drug class:
miscellaneous central nervous system agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
armodafinil 7.8 57 reviews for armodafinil to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome Rx C 4
Generic name:
armodafinil systemic
Brand name:
Nuvigil
Drug class:
CNS stimulants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.