[WARNING] Big Pharma’s ‘solution’ for deadly sleep condition?

Folks, I’ll cut to the chase.

Sleep apnea is no joke.

This sleep disorder that affects nearly ONE MILLION people worldwide goes way beyond loud snoring…

If left unchecked or untreated, it can cause you to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more at a time… can increase your risk for hypertension… heart disease… type 2 diabetes… depression… and even early DEATH!

The most popular treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine – which is designed to help regulate breathing while you sleep.

There are plenty of benefits to CPAP machines, but many folks find they’re too bulky, hard to clean, and downright uncomfortable.

Well, Big Pharma has swooped in and claimed they have a better ‘solution.’

And wouldn’t you know it – it’s a DRUG!

If you or a loved one are battling sleep apnea – and are wooed by this non-CPAP remedy – you may want to think twice.

A new study out of Australia claims a drug previously used to treat depression – sold under the name reboxetine – may help reduce the severity of sleep apnea.

The study compared single doses of reboxetine to a combination of both reboxetine and oxybutynin (another drug used to treat sleep apnea in the past), and a placebo amongst a group of patients with sleep apnea.

The results of their study concluded the following:

• Reboxetine on its own can reduce sleep apnea severity
• Reboxetine reduced the number of sleep apnea events per hour
• And, it improved oxygen levels (noting the addition of oxybutynin didn’t cause additional improvements)

Those are positive results – I won’t argue with that.

But two things to note (about the study – and reboxetine).

One, the study only looked at 16 people. For a condition that affects nearly a billion people around the world, I’d hardly call that a strong sample size.

Two, reboxetine comes with a long list of side effects – including dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, sweating, and even insomnia (which kind of negates that whole “better sleep” thing doesn’t it?).

The bottom line?

If you have sleep apnea and are looking to ditch your CPAP, talk to your doctor about the best approach. If he mentions reboxetine, mention any concerns you have about taking a drug with a questionable track record.

Consider lifestyle changes that can have a positive impact on the severity of sleep apnea. For example, losing weight is considered one of the best ways to combat sleep apnea as many folks with the condition are often overweight or obese.

To restful – and safe – sleep,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Anderer, John. “Depression drug reboxetine may help relieve sleep apnea.” https://studyfinds.org/depression-reboxetine-sleep-apnea/

Rajput, Kartic. “Reboxetine (Edronax): The Most Controversial Antidepressant.” https://www.psycom.net/reboxetine-edronax