Could a common altitude sickness pill help treat sleep apnea?
NCT ID NCT04726982
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested two doses (250 mg and 500 mg daily) of acetazolamide, a drug usually used for altitude sickness, in 91 adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The goal was to see if the drug could reduce breathing pauses during sleep by improving breathing control. Participants took the drug or a placebo for a period, and researchers measured changes in sleep apnea severity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could provide a new medication option for people with obstructive sleep apnea, reducing the need for CPAP machines.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 91 participants. The drug may cause side effects like tingling or electrolyte imbalances, and results may not apply to everyone with sleep apnea.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Antwerp University Hospital
Edegem, Antwerp, 2650, Belgium