Sleep apnea: treatment with protriptyline.

Abstract

Fourteen patients with an average of more than 60 episodes of upper airway obstruction during night sleep were treated with a nonsedating tricyclic antidepressant, protriptyline. Frequency and duration of recorded apneas decreased in 11 cases, and satisfactory control of sleep apnea was maintained with medical therapy alone in 8 of these 11 patients for 7 to 15 months. Potential adverse effects of protriptyline, particularly on the cardiovascular system, limit its use in this illness. These results indicate the possibility of pharmacologic reversal of sleep-induced incoordination of the upper airway.

• Authors: R W Clark, H S Schmidt, S F Schaal, H Boudoulas, D E Schuller
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 29 Issue 9 Pt 1 Pg. 1287-92 (Sep 1979) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 573409 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Dibenzocycloheptenes
• Protriptyline

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Airway Obstruction (drug therapy)
• Apnea (drug therapy)
• Dibenzocycloheptenes (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Protriptyline (therapeutic use)
• Sleep Wake Disorders (drug therapy)