Epilepsy drug could reduce sleep apnoea symptoms, study finds

Sulthiame may help prevent patients' breathing from temporarily stopping, international research suggests

An epilepsy drug could help prevent the breathing of patients with sleep apnoea from temporarily stopping, according to research.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common breathing problem that affects about one in 20 people, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England. Patients often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night and they may wake up several times. Not only does this cause tiredness but it can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.