title: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of an oral, extended-release formulation of phentermine/topiramate for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in obese adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate safety and efficacy of phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg for treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  This phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 2-week screening and 28-week treatment periods. Overnight polysomnography was performed at baseline, Week 8, and Week 28.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center study conducted from August 2008 to September 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five subjects with moderate to severe OSA not receiving positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment with body mass index of 30-40 kg/m(2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were randomized to receive placebo (n = 23) or phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg (n = 22). Both groups received lifestyle-modification counseling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary endpoint, change in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), significantly favored phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg (-31.5 events/h, 95% CI: -40.0, -22.9) over placebo (-16.6 events/h, 95% CI: -25.0, -8.2) at Week 28 (P =0.0084). At Week 28, there was a 10.2% (95% CI: -12.7, -7.6; 10.8 kg, 95% CI: -13.5, -8.0) mean decrease in weight in the phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg group compared with 4.3% (95% CI: -6.6, -2.0; 4.7 kg, 95% CI: -7.2, -2.2) in the placebo group (P = 0.0006) and a positive, significant (P = 0.0003) correlation between percent change in weight and change in AHI. Significant improvements in overnight oxygen saturation and reduction in blood pressure compared with placebo were observed. Phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg was well tolerated with low adverse event rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg induced significant weight reductions and concomitant improvements in OSA and related symptoms vs placebo. This suggests weight loss mediated by phentermine 15 mg plus extended-release topiramate 92 mg may be useful in treatment of moderate to severe OSA in obese subjects unable or unwilling to comply with PAP treatment.
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Research Group, Louisville, KY 40217, USA. dwinslow@kysleepmed.com
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Winslow
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bowden
authors.forename: Karen P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: DiDonato
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McCullough
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010645:Phentermine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D010645:Phentermine
keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; apnea-hypopnea index; obesity; phentermine; topiramate