Possibly, but only with documented improvement on a repeat sleep study. Reasons people sometimes discontinue: substantial weight loss with AHI normalization, successful corrective surgery, or successful Inspire therapy. Stopping CPAP without retesting is not recommended -- subjective feeling does not reliably indicate that OSA is resolved.

Alternatives include oral appliance therapy (custom-fit mandibular advancement devices), positional therapy for positional OSA, weight loss, surgical options (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, maxillomandibular advancement), and Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Each has different indications, success rates, and patient candidacy criteria.

Inspire is an FDA-approved implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HGNS) that activates tongue muscles during sleep to keep the airway open. Approved 2014, with expanded BMI and AHI criteria added in 2023. Studies in the New England Journal of Medicine showed reduction in AHI by 50-70 percent in selected patients. Not appropriate for all OSA patients.

A 10 percent body-weight reduction may reduce AHI by an average of about 26 percent based on cohort data. Larger losses (20 percent or more) sometimes resolve mild OSA. For moderate-to-severe disease, weight loss typically reduces severity but does not fully eliminate the diagnosis. A repeat sleep study is the only way to confirm.

Several drug candidates are in clinical trials, including combinations targeting upper airway muscle tone (atomoxetine + oxybutynin, AD109) and GLP-1 agonists for weight-driven OSA. None are FDA-approved as primary OSA treatments as of 2026, but the pipeline is the most active it has ever been.