Abstract
This article reviews the neurobiologic rationale for and presents clinical guidance concerning the use of medications that reduce central nervous system noradrenergic activity in the treatment of intrusive symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. The authors reviewed neurobiological studies, nonclinical studies using animal models, clinical case reports, open-label drug studies, and blinded, placebo-controlled drug studies. This review of the basic science and clinical literature, and the authors' clinical experience with culturally and demographically diverse populations, indicate that clonidine and prazosin can play a useful role in treating sleep disturbance and hyperarousal in posttraumatic stress disorder, with minimal adverse effects and low financial cost.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 72-78 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Psychiatric Practice |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2007 |
Keywords
- Clonidine
- Hyperarousal
- Nightmares
- Noradrenergic reduction
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Prazosin
- Psychopharmacology
- Sleep disturbances
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health