Effect of zopiclone on sleep, night-time ventilation, and daytime vigilance in upper airway resistance syndrome

Abstract

We have assessed the effects of zopiclone (7.5 mg), a new cyclopyrrolone hypnotic drug, on ventilation, sleep parameters, and daytime vigilance in snorers with upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS).Using a randomized double-blind design, eight male patients with UARS took either oral zopiclone or a placebo each evening for seven consecutive days and then crossed over to the other drug after a 7 day placebo period. Polysomnography followed by a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) was performed during the last night of each treatment period.Zopiclone produced significant improvements in the sleep efficiency index (total sleep time/time in bed) (placebo 84±15% versus zopiclone 91±7%) and average MSLT (placebo 10.3±3.7 min versus zopiclone 14.9±2.8 min), as well as nonsignificant improvements in sleep onset latency and total sleep time. It had no effect on sleep architecture or on the arousal index (placebo 17±8 arousals·h -1 versus zopiclone 17±4 arousals·h -1 ). Furthermore, none of the respiratory parameters were significantly affected by zopiclone.In conclusion, zopiclone has no adverse effects on sleep architecture, respiratory parameters during sleep, and daytime sleepiness in patients with UARS.

Trazodone Effects on Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Non-REM Arousal Threshold

“…The use of pharmacological interventions to treat OSA has been investigated to some extent; however, results have varied among people with OSA (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(25)(26)(27)(28). We believe that OSA improvement with some of these sedatives may vary due to the myorelaxant properties of these medications, which consequently resulted in increased upper airway resistance.…”

“…As such, a number of studies have attempted to manipulate pharmacologically the arousal threshold in patients with OSA using various sedatives/hypnotic agents. However, these studies have often demonstrated variable results in terms of improving OSA severity (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), which may be either attributed to the myorelaxant properties of some of the drugs used or that the arousal threshold was not a major factor contributing to OSA in these particular subjects (15)(16)(17)) (e.g., they had highly collapsible airways). Thus, there is a need to determine the characteristics of those individuals who respond well to sedatives as well as identify which sedatives can increase the arousal threshold while preserving upper airway muscle activity.…”

Treatment of upper airway resistance syndrome in adults: Where do we stand?

“…From the 17 articles analyzed, 4 were about CPAP treatment [1,23,24,25] , 1 about drug treatment [26] , 1 about CPAP and surgery [27] , 1 was about rapid palatal expansion [28] , 4 about surgery [22–32] , 5 about oral device treatment [33–37] and 1 about external nasal device [38] . The definition of UARS also varied.…”

Zopiclone and zaleplon vs benzodiazepines in the treatment of insomnia: Canadian consensus statement

“…In a recent study of patients with UARS, no significant changes in respiration were noted after administration of zopiclone which, on the other hand, improved nocturnal sleep organization and decreased daytime somnolence in these patients (Lofaso et al, 1997).…”