Eszopiclone and CPAP Adherence

Approximately 50% of patients discontinue continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use within the first year (and often within the first month) of initiating treatment—usually because of discomfort, intolerance, or lack of perceived benefit. Since early adherence to CPAP can be predictive of and important to long-term adherence, researchers from the CPAP Promotion and Prognosis—The Army Sleep Apnea Program (CPAP ASAP) trial investigated the effects of administering eszopiclone within the first two weeks of CPAP treatment in patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Eszopiclone is a nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic drug that is FDA approved to treat insomnia, is effective at inducing sleep, and can be used safely in patients with OSA. The researchers hypothesized that the drug would improve patients’ initial tolerability and use of CPAP, subsequently increasing their long-term adherence.