Reduction of nightmares and other PTSD symptoms in combat veterans by prazosin: a placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Prazosin is a centrally active alpha(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.

• Authors: Murray A Raskind, Elaine R Peskind, Evan D Kanter, Eric C Petrie, Allen Radant, Charles E Thompson, Dorcas J Dobie, David Hoff, Rebekah J Rein, Kristy Straits-Tröster, Ronald G Thomas, Miles M McFall
• Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry) Vol. 160 Issue 2 Pg. 371-3 (Feb 2003) ISSN: 0002-953X [Print] United States
• PMID: 12562588 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Placebos
• Prazosin

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Combat Disorders (diagnosis, drug therapy, psychology)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Dreams (drug effects, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Placebos
• Prazosin (therapeutic use)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Sleep Wake Disorders (diagnosis, drug therapy, psychology)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (diagnosis, drug therapy, psychology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Veterans (psychology)