A popular antipsychotic medication was found to reduce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – but it also led to impaired driving the next morning.That’s according to a small randomized controlled trial published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, conducted the study in 15 adults with OSA who also had difficulty maintaining sleep.Each participant underwent two overnight sleep studies approximately one week apart, according to a press release.Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, conducted the study in 15 adults with OSA who also had difficulty maintaining sleep.
Each participant underwent two overnight sleep studies approximately one week apart.(iStock)The participants took 50mg of quetiapine (Seroquel) before bed one night, and took a placebo the following night.Quetiapine is a widely prescribed antipsychotic that is prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.
It is also often used off-label at lower doses to treat insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues.NEW HEALTH WARNING ISSUED OVER POPULAR SLEEP AID MILLIONS TAKE NIGHTLYThe researchers monitored the participants throughout the night, looking at their breathing, brain activity, oxygen levels and leg movements.A female driver yawns while sitting behind the wheel, illustrating the concept of falling asleep at the wheel.(iStock)The participants who took the quetiapine had more than 40 minutes more total sleep time and 45% less wakefulness during the night, the study found.
Their apnea-related events also reduced from 27 to 20 events per hour.Despite these improvements, the drug appeared to slow reaction time behind the wheel compared to those taking a placebo.This was based on a driving simulator test and a 10-minute reaction time test, administered within 30 minutes of waking up.SLEEP APNEA MAY BE QUIETLY CHANGING YOUR BODY IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY, STUDY FINDSThose taking quetiapine experienced more tha...