This RCT explores the efficacy of Zonisamide (Zonegran®)on overweight/obese in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Patients will be randomized to receive zonisamide, placebo or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) during 4 weeks. A 5 month open extension part will follow when patients in the tablet groups will all receive zonisamide. Patients in the open CPAP group will continue with CPAP treatment. Study hypothesis: Controlled pharmacological weight reduction with Zonisamide will result in elimination of OSA and OSA sequels more effectively than nCPAP due to incomplete compliance with the mechanical treatment and a lack of direct beneficial metabolic effects after nCPAP. Further it is hypothesized that zonisamide has a direct pharmacological effect on respiratory control during sleep by its carbonic anhydrase inhibitory effects and this will result in a reduction of sleep disordered breathing.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
50
Zonisamide (Zonegran®) tablets will be administered according to a forced stepwise weekly titration scheme with weekly 100 mg escalations from 100 to 300 mg daily according to the manufacturer Eisai Inc.
Center for Sleep and Vigilance Disorders
Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, Sweden
Primary objective is to investigate the effect of zonisamide vs. placebo on sleep disordered breathing after short-term (4 weeks) treatment.
The primary objective of this study is to explore the efficacy of pharmacological weight reduction on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by assessment of apnoea/hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) 4 weeks .
Time frame: Baseline to 4 weeks.
Longterm efficacy and effect of zonisamide on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)in comparison to CPAP by assessment of apnoea/hypopnea index (AHI) after 24 weeks.
The effect of CPAP will be expressed in terms of apnea alleviation. Other secondary objectives include the effect on oxygen desaturation, mean overnight oxygenation, sleep quality (by polysomnographic assessment), daytime sleepiness, daytime cognitive function, patient-reported outcomes, blood pressure and effects on metabolic markers.
Time frame: baseline to 24 weeks
Secondary objective is to investigate the effect of zonisamide vs. placebo on other sleep disordered breathing parameters after short-term (4 weeks) treatment.
Secondary objectives include the effect on other markers of sleep apnea like mean overnight oxygenation, sleep quality (by polysomnographic assessment), daytime sleepiness, daytime cognitive function, patient-reported outcomes, blood pressure and effects on metabolic markers after short term treatment (4 weeks).
Time frame: Baseline to 4 weeks.
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