Could a common altitude sickness pill help treat sleep apnea?

NCT ID NCT04726982

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital, Antwerp Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Acidosis obstructive sleep apnea syndrome Respiratory Aspiration sleep apnea syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Antwerp University Hospital

Edegem, Antwerp, 2650, Belgium

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