Reversible Exacerbation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blockade with Tamsulosin: A Case Report

This case report described a 67-year-old male patient who experienced a reversible exacerbation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after starting treatment with the α1-adrenergic antagonist tamsulosin, used for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The patient, who had stable OSA managed with CPAP, saw an increase in airway obstruction episodes, which improved after discontinuing tamsulosin. The report suggested that tamsulosin's pharmacodynamic effects, including its slow receptor offset and prolonged half-life, might worsen OSA symptoms, especially when combined with ranitidine and following significant weight loss. This finding, not previously reported, indicated a potential need for further clinical investigation into the effects of α1-adrenergic antagonists on OSA.