World Sleep 2022 | Case study: topiramate resolved sodium oxybate induced central sleep apnea in narcolepsy

Anne Marie Morse, DO, FAASM, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, discusses the use of sodium oxybate in treating patients with narcolepsy. One of the greatest challenges faced when using sodium oxybate is the development or worsening of sleep disorder breathing, in particular central sleep apnea. Dr Morse describes a case study whereby a young girl was treated with sodium oxybate for narcolepsy – demonstrating brilliant results in treating the hypersomnia sleep disorder but simultaneously demonstrating an alarmingly high apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of over 100. To avoid withdrawing treatment and improve central sleep apnea, topiramate, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, was administered. The co-administration of low-dose topiramate provided remarkable results, allowing the patient to continue the sodium oxybate treatment for narcolepsy. This interview took place at the Sleep Disorder Conference 2022 in Rome, Italy.