The effects of minocycline on breathing during sleep in patients prescribed opioid drugs for chronic pain.

Some people who take opioid pain medications (like morphine or oxycodone) for chronic pain develop a breathing problem during sleep called central sleep apnoea — where the brain temporarily forgets to signal the body to breathe. This trial is testing whether minocycline, a common antibiotic that also has effects on the brain's immune system, can reduce this breathing problem and also make opioid pain medications work better. You may be eligible if: - You are between 18 and 65 years of age - You are prescribed long-acting oral opioid medications within specific dose ranges (morphine 40–500 mg/day, oxycodone 30–350 mg/day, or methadone 20–100 mg/day) - You have been diagnosed with central sleep apnoea (5 or more episodes per hour on a sleep study) You may NOT be eligible if: - You have significant lung disease (e.g. COPD), heart failure, or history of stroke - You have a major psychiatric illness - You have a history of substance abuse - You are allergic to tetracycline antibiotics, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding - You are extremely sleepy during the day (Epworth score 15 or above) - Your BMI is 35 or above - You are currently being treated for sleep apnoea and are unwilling to stop for the study Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.