Sleep apnea
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TL;DR
The results indicate the possibility of pharmacologic reversal of sleep-induced incoordination of the upper airway, and potential adverse effects of protriptyline, particularly on the cardiovascular system, limit its use in this illness.
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.