Prazosin reduces trauma-related nightmares in older men with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract

Trauma-related nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rarely respond to pharmacologic treatment. Neurobiologic data suggest that enhanced brain responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation may contribute to the pathophysiology of trauma-related nightmares in PTSD. Nine older men with chronic PTSD secondary to military or Holocaust trauma were prescribed the lipophilic alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin for treatment-resistant trauma-related nightmares. Prazosin 2 mg to 4 mg 1 hour before bedtime substantially reduced nightmares and moderately or markedly reduced overall PTSD severity in 8 of 9 subjects. Prazosin was well tolerated. These open-label results are consistent with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of prazosin for PTSD nightmares and sleep disturbance in a recent placebo-controlled trial in Vietnam veterans.

• Authors: Elaine R Peskind, Lauren T Bonner, David J Hoff, Murray A Raskind
• Journal: Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol) Vol. 16 Issue 3 Pg. 165-71 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0891-9887 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12967060 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Prazosin

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Chronic Disease
• Dreams (drug effects)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prazosin (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (diagnosis, drug therapy)