It can also happen when the brain isn’t sending signals correctly to the breathing muscles.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a class of drugs commonly used to treatallergy symptoms.
Allergy symptoms such as coughing and sneezing occur when histamine is released in response to exposure to harmlessallergens.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepinesare a class of prescription medications used to relieve anxiety.
Some work as muscle relaxants or are used as anticonvulsants to treat seizures.
However, chronic use for this purpose is discouraged due to their high risk of dependency.
While there may be a relationship between the drugs and sleep apnea symptoms, more data is needed.
Like benzodiazepines, opiates may relax the muscles in the upper airway, leading to a blockage.
They also may interfere with signals to the muscles that involve breathing.
Barbiturates
Barbituratesare a class of prescription medications that cause sedation.
Today they’re largely used to treat seizures.
This can produce sedation and even coma and has significant effects on breathing.
These relaxant properties are thought to cause upper airway collapse during sleep, increasing the incidence of sleep apnea.
However, a single 25-milligram dose had no effect in studies of people with moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Testosterone
Research has found some evidence that testosterone can increase the cases of sleep apnea.
In a 2018 study, the risk of sleep apnea was higher in patients takingtestosterone replacement therapy.
A 2020 review of studies concluded that testosterone replacement therapy is a risk factor for developing sleep apnea.
It recommended that those receiving the therapy should be monitored for the condition, particularly in obese patients.
However, research has shown that drinking alcohol before bed can negatively impact yournatural sleeping cycle.
Alcohol also relaxes airway muscles, potentially triggering an apnea episode.
Talk to your healthcare provider about medications you take and concerns about sleep apnea.
Summary
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder marked by interruptions in breathing during sleep.
This can increase your risk for developing sleep apnea or worsen the condition if you have it.
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