Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating sleep apnea, hyponea and snoring in a human patient by administering to said patient a pilocarpine compound that results in an exposure of the tissues of the naso-pharyngeal and oro-pharyngeal region to pilocarpine levels in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate such sleep apnea, hyponea and snoring condition in such patient during the treatment interval.Pilocarpine hydrochloride or nitrate solutions may be applied nasally in drop form for convenience.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating sleep apnea, hypopnea and/or snoring in a human patient by administering to said patient a compound that results in the release of pilocarpine to the nasopharnyx and hypopharnyx tissues an amount effective to reduce or eliminate such sleep apnea, hypopnea and snoring condition in such patient.Pilocarpine hydrochloride and pilocarpine nitrate in sustained release ocular compositions are preferred for convenience but other forms such as eye-drop solutions or aqueous gel forms may also be used. Pro-drug or targeted drug forms of pilocarpine that result in more effective tissue absorption and subsequent release of the pharmacologically active pilocarpine may also be utilized.