1. Reduction of nightmares and other PTSD symptoms in combat veterans by prazosin: a placebo-controlled study
- Author
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Raskind, Murray A., Peskind, Elaine R., Kanter, Evan D., Petrie, Eric C., Radant, Allen, Thompson, Charles E., Dobie, Dorcas J., Hoff, David, Rein, Rebekah J., Straits-Troster, Kristy, Thomas, Ronald G., and McFall, Miles M.
- Subjects
Veterans -- Drug therapy ,Veterans -- Health aspects ,Veterans -- Psychological aspects ,Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Drug therapy ,Prazosin -- Health aspects ,Nightmares -- Drug therapy ,Sympathomimetic agents -- Health aspects ,Health ,Psychology and mental health - Abstract
Objective: Prazosin is a centrally active [[alpha].sub.1] adrenergic antagonist. The authors' goal was to evaluate prazosin efficacy for nightmares, sleep disturbance, and overall posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat veterans. Method: Ten Vietnam combat veterans with chronic PTSD and severe trauma-related nightmares each received prazosin and placebo in a 20-week double-blind crossover protocol. Results: Prazosin (mean dose=9.5 mg/day at bedtime, SD=0.5) was superior to placebo for the three primary outcome measures: scores on the 1) recurrent distressing dreams item and the 2) difficulty falling/staying asleep item of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale and 3) change in overall PTSD severity and functional status according to the Clinical Global Impression of change. Total score and symptom cluster scores for reexperiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale also were significantly more improved in the prazosin condition, and prazosin was well tolerated. Conclusions: These data support the efficacy of prazosin for nightmares, sleep disturbance, and other PTSD symptoms.
- Published
- 2003