Pitolisant hydrochloride for obstructive sleep apnoea
NIHR HSRIC
Record ID 32016000533
English
Authors' recommendations:
Obstructive sleep apnoea is caused by a repetitive relaxing of the throat muscles during sleep which leads to the airway becoming repeatedly blocked off. Difficulties in breathing during the night causes patients to wake up suddenly, have an interrupted nights' sleep, and feel sleepy during the daytime. Obstructive sleep apnoea is often linked to being overweight, smoking, drugs, drinking alcohol, and a poor sleeping routine. However, if changing these factors does not improve symptoms, patients may be advised to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine at night time, but not all patients are able to tolerate CPAP therapy.
Pitolisant hydrochloride is a new drug that may improve daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. It is taken once daily as a tablet. Pitolisant hydrochloride is currently being studied to see how well it works and whether it is safe to use in people with obstructive sleep apnoea.
If pitolisant hydrochloride drug licensed for use in the UK, it would be the first drug for obstructive sleep apnoea that could be taken as a tablet. It could be particularly helpful for people who still suffer excessive daytime sleepiness despite CPAP therapy, or for patients who do not wish to use a CPAP machine.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2016
URL for published report:
http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/pitolisant-hydrochloride-for-obstructive-sleep-apnoea/
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Piperidines
- Polysomnography
- Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Contact
Organisation Name:
NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre
Contact Address:
The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269
Contact Name:
c.packer@bham.ac.uk
Contact Email:
c.packer@bham.ac.uk
Copyright:
NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)
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