atomoxetine + diphenhydramine

Atomoxetine + diphenhydramine is an experimental combination therapy being developed by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The combination targets two distinct physiological mechanisms underlying OSA: atomoxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is used to increase the activity of upper airway dilator muscles, such as the genioglossus, by increasing norepinephrine levels at the hypoglossal nucleus. Diphenhydramine, a first-generation H1-antihistamine with significant antimuscarinic and sedative properties (coded as DAW2020 or DAW2022 in clinical trials), is included to increase the respiratory arousal threshold. By raising the arousal threshold, the combination aims to prevent premature awakenings during respiratory events, allowing for the accumulation of respiratory stimuli that can eventually trigger airway opening without sleep fragmentation. This dual-action approach is intended to reduce the severity of OSA in patients whose condition is driven by these specific endotypic traits.

Other names

atomoxetine + DAW2020atomoxetine + DAW20222-Brigham and Women's Hospital-obstructive sleep apnea