[CPAP] Advice and Support

[Ericdk73]

Hi everyone! I have a question. I have OSA and I recently have been prescribed Trazodone for insomnia. I have been noticing some higher AHI levels and I am wondering if anyone else would know anything about this issue.

[Gralli]

According to the NIH, trazadone should not affect upper airway muscles and increases your arousal threshold (which in theory should lower your AHI). However, drugs affect people in different ways and could be affected by diet, other medication, and lifestyle. I know some blood pressure medications cause an increase in pressure in some individuals. That therapy is then changed until another medication is found to be efficacious. I would follow up with your MD, let him know what you found. He/She will ask you a multitude of questions to see if they can unravel your mystery.

[Ericdk73]

Thank you so much I appreciate it!

[mesenteria]

The various prescribed sleep aids will often have a deleterious effect on sleep apnea.  At least, that is what I was cautioned about with Zopiclone, which is not the same thing as Trazodone, admittedly.  If your AHI reports consistently, and reliably, show an increase of two or more AHI per hour, but only after ingesting the Trazodone, then I would have to conclude that the Trazodone has something to do with it.  So, two or three trials, trying hard to replicate the same circumstances for several nights of using the product, will tell the tale for you.