![Drugs for alcoholism cause sleep apnea](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2016-06-02/i38898-un-medicament-contre-l-alcoolisme-provoquerait-des-apnees-du-sommeil.jpg)
June 2, 2016.
A French study has just proven that baclofen, a drug regularly prescribed in cases of alcohol dependence, causes many sleep apnea.
Up to 100 respiratory stops per hour
A drug prescribed for alcohol dependence would be responsible for severe attacks of sleep apnea. It is this observation that researchers from the universities of Angers and Grenoble have established, by carrying out an unprecedented scientific study on the effects of baclofen.
At the origin of this discovery, a finding: patients treated with this substance complained of a sleep disturbed by frequent stops in breathing. The latter then participated in several tests which proved what the researchers anticipated. ” These four men undoubtedly suffered from severe sleep apnea, with up to 100 respiratory interruptions and 40 micro-arousals per hour ! », Notes Fréderic Gagnadoux, professor of pulmonology at the University Hospital of Angers and co-author of the study. ” And more precisely of a form of so-called central sleep apnea, in which it is the brain that causes these frequent nocturnal respiratory stops “.
Baclofen is thought to interfere with the central nervous system
To confirm the diagnosis, all it took was for a patient to stop taking baclofen. ” Her sleep apnea is completely gone », Then explain the authors of the study.
Now remains to understand the process by which a drug known to have a muscle relaxant effect causes sleep apnea. ” A hypothesis is already proposed », Indicates the National Institute of Medical Research. ” By enhancing the action of a neurotransmitter (GABA), baclofen appears to interfere with the control of ventilation by the central nervous system, thereby altering the nocturnal respiratory rate. “.
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