‘Holy Grail’ Sleep Apnea Pill Can Cut Episodes by More Than 50%

New York Post ^ | May 29, 2026 | Reda Wigle

[nickcarraway]

A promising new drug could put an end to cumbersome CPAP machines and allow millions of Americans to breathe easy and sleep soundly.

Researchers at the biopharm company Apnimed have been developing a sleep apnea drug called AD109. After various clinical trials, they are preparing to file for FDA approval.

“A pill for sleep apnea has always been the holy grail,” Dr. Andrew Wellman, a Harvard sleep researcher, told Forbes, noting that over the past several years, at least 40 drug candidates have been tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without success.

[DIRTYSECRET]

So can we allow the hospital to pull the plug?

[Red Badger]

Afrin actually shrinks sinus tissue. I used it for years until it would not work any more, went to an ENT in 2008 and he found a huge growth called an ‘Inverted Papilloma’ in there that was blocking both sinuses. Had THREE operations to get rid of it all and haven’t been bothered since!

The thing about Afrin is if you overuse it, the tissue becomes saturated with it so that it won’t work any more. At the end I was spraying that stuff every hour trying to get relief. I could not breathe thru my nose at all!

The ENT operated and was able to get enough of it cleared so that I could breathe, then he recommended me to Shand’s Hospital in Gainesville to a specialist at the University of Florida, GO GATORS!, and they had to operate on me twice to finally get it all.

The only side effect was I could not smell anything for several years until the nerve endings grew back completely. But now I’m good to go!.............

[Red Badger]

This stuff WORKS!.........

[jimtorr]

Thanks for the tip.

However, I looked it up to see if it is appropriate for me, and it’s no go. I have diabetes and a history of hyperthyroidism, and Afrin is contraindicated with those conditions.

[Red Badger]

Oh well, back to the drawing board.......................😥

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

I’ve used a CPAP machine with nasal pillow mask for around 15 years now. Wouldn’t lay down without it now. Like some others have said in the comments, I have chronic sinus issues which used to inhibit sleep - the CPAP helps keep the airways clear. I used to use Flonase at night along with a nightly nasal rinse (aka nose douche) - but I had sinus surgery earlier in the year and the doc prescribed Budesonide to mix with the salt in the nasal rinse. This delivers steroid up into the sinuses better than Flonase and it has been a big help.

[nickcarraway]

Did you ever try EPAP?

[AppyPappy]

I tried that. My first pea trip had me unsteady on my feet

[TiGuy22]

Thank God he was a Christian man! But, tragic nonetheless as it was unnecessary. I’m with you, I can’t imagine sleeping without it, and I prefer this mechanical means to remedy vs another big pharma risk.

[ducttape45]

Sleep Apnea is nothing to mess with. If someone is diagnosed with it, they need to get it treated and get on a CPAP machine pronto. I miss my friend, and I wish I had gotten to know him better.

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

Yesterday I saw an ad for a pill for sleep apnea, Shaq was in it. The ad, not the pill.

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