Prazosin for PTSD Symptoms and Nightmares in Active-Duty Combat Soldiers

Prazosin, an alpha-1-adrenoceptor antagonist, effectively treats nightmares related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty soldiers and veterans. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, 15-week trial, investigators assessed prazosin's value for treating other PTSD symptoms.

Exclusions included unstable medical illness, hypotension, pregnancy or not using reliable birth control, recent substance abuse, psychosis, cognitive impairment, suicidality, severe depression meriting hospitalization, recent PTSD-focused psychotherapy, and trazodone (which may raise prazosin's slight risk for priapism). Medication was given twice daily to 65 active-duty soldiers and 2 recently discharged veterans, all with PTSD and combat exposure. Twenty …