Almost one in four combat veterans experience nightmares related to post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Surprisingly, a drug used to treat high blood pressure and prostate problems may be the key to helping them sleep through the night, shows a small study published in the April 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
Researchers at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System randomized 40 veterans to either the drug prazosin (marketed as Minipress® and Hypovase®) or a placebo for eight weeks. Dosage was gradually increased from 1 mg up to 15 mg over the course of the trial, amounts well within the range typically used to treat hypertension. Those who received prazosin reported significant improvements in sleep quality, fewer trauma nightmares, an improved overall sense of well being and better functioning. Side effects including dizziness. headache and dry mouth were also reported.
A press release on the study reports on that the drug works by blocking the release of norepinephrine which interrupts REM sleep. Because trauma nightmares most often occur in light sleep or interrupted REM sleep, participants were able to resume normal dreaming as they enjoyed more consistent REM sleep following the reduction in norepinephrine.
Previous studies have also found prazosin to be effective in reducing nightmares and sleep disturbances in victims of PTSD.
Press release: Study finds drug helps PTSD nightmares
ABSTRACT: A Parallel Group Placebo Controlled Study of Prazosin for Trauma Nightmares and Sleep Disturbance in Combat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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