This is a list of investigational sleep apnea drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use in the treatment of sleep apnea but are not yet approved. Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]". This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.
Under development
Phase 3 Aroxybutynin/atomoxetine (AD-109; atomoxetine/aroxybutynin) – combination of aroxybutynin (muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist/anticholinergic) and atomoxetine (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) [1], Mazdutide (IBI-362; LY-3305677; OXM-3) – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and glucagon receptor agonist – obesity-related sleep apnea [2] Orforglipron (LY-3502970; OWL-833) – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist – obesity-related sleep apnea [3] Retatrutide (LY-3437943) – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, glucagon receptor agonist, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist – obesity-related sleep apnea [4]
Phase 2/3 Acetazolamide/dronabinol (IHL-42X) – combination of acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and dronabinol (cannabinoid receptor agonist) [5]
Phase 2 AD-036 – undefined mechanism of action [6] Atomoxetine/mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (atomoxetine/antimineralocorticoid; AD-113) – combination of atomoxetine (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist [7] Atomoxetine/trazodone (trazodone/atomoxetine; AD-504) – combination of atomoxetine (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and trazodone (various actions/hypnotic) [8] BAY-2586116 – potassium channel blocker [9] CX-1739 – ampakine (AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator) [10] Dronabinol low-dose (tetrahydrocannabinol; THC; PP-001) – cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist [11] Dronabinol/palmidrol (SCI-110; THX-OSA01; THX-RS01; THX-110; THX-TS01; THC/PEA) – combination of dronabinol (THC; cannabinoid receptor agonist) and palmidrol (palmitoylethanolamine (PEA); various actions) [12] Lorundrostat (MLS-101; MT-4129) – aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) inhibitor [13] Phentermine/topiramate (Qnexa; Qsiva; Qsymia; topiramate/phentermine; VI-0521) – combination of phentermine (norepinephrine releasing agent) and topiramate (various actions) [14] Research programme: Sleep disordered breathing therapeutics - Shinogi-Apnimed Sleep Science – undefined mechanisms of action [15] SASS-001 – purinergic P2X3 receptor antagonist [16] Sivopixant (S-600918) – purinergic P2X3 receptor antagonist [17] Sulthiame (SASS-002; sulthiame; Sultia; sultiame) – carbonic anhydrase inhibitor [18] [19] Trazodone/viloxazine (AD-816; viloxazine/trazodone) – combination of trazodone (various actions/hypnotic) and viloxazine (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) [20]
Phase 1 BAY-2925976 (KRP-S124) – α2C-adrenergic receptor antagonist [21] Gal-475 – chemoreceptor cell modulator [22] MOS-118 (AVE-0118) – potassium channel blocker [23]
Not under development
No development reported Atomoxetine/orexin antagonist (AD-182) – combination of atomoxetine (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and an orexin receptor antagonist [24] Daridorexant (ACT-541468; nemorexant; Quviviq) – orexin OX1 and OX2 receptor antagonist [25] Lemborexant (Dayvigo; E-2006; LEM) – orexin OX1 and OX2 receptor antagonist [26] Research programme: AMPA receptor agonists - RespireRx (ampakines; CX compounds) – ampakines (AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulators) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulants [27] Research programme: sleep apnoea therapeutics - Apnimed – undefined mechanism of action [28] Seltorexant (JNJ-42847922; JNJ-7922; MIN-202) – orexin OX2 receptor antagonist [29] Vornorexant (ORN-0829; TS-142) – orexin OX1 and OX2 receptor antagonist [30]
Discontinued AVE-0657 – sodium–hydrogen antiporter inhibitor [31] Danavorexton (TAK-925) – orexin OX2 receptor agonist [32] Dexloxiglumide (CR-2017) – cholecystokinin A (CCKA) receptor antagonist [33] Gefapixant (AF-219; Gefzuris; Lyfnua; MK-7264; R-1646; RG-1646; RO-4926219) – purinergic P2X3 receptor antagonist [34] Itriglumide (CR-2945) – cholecystokinin B (CCKB) receptor antagonist [35] Sleep apnoea therapeutic (TASK channel blocker) – potassium channel blocker [36]
Clinically used drugs
Approved drugs Tirzepatide (LY-3298176; Mounjaro; Zepbound) – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist – obesity-related sleep apnea [37]
Off-label drugs Acetazolamide (Diamox) – carbonic anhydrase inhibitor Atomoxetine (Strattera) – norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) Eszopiclone (Lunesta) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/Z-drug Oxybutynin (Ditropan) – muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist (anticholinergic) Pimavanserin (Nuplaizid) – serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist Sodium oxybate (GHB; Xyrem) – GABAB receptor agonist and GHB receptor agonist Trazodone (Desyrel) – various actions Weight-loss drugs (e.g., liraglutide, semaglutide) – obesity-related sleep apnea
See also Lists of investigational drugs
References
External links AdisInsight - Springer
