Document Type
Article
Version Deposited
Published Version
Publication Date
8-23-2022
Publication Title
Ment Health Clin
DOI
10.9740/mhc.2022.08.267
Abstract
Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist widely known by mental health providers for its off-label use for nightmares in patients with PTSD. Prazosin is lipophilic and crosses the blood-brain barrier to antagonize alpha-1 receptors in the central nervous system, potentially reducing autonomic arousal caused by PTSD. There have been numerous case reports describing the reduction of nightmares and daytime flashbacks due to PTSD with prazosin dosed at night and during the day, respectively. This case report illustrates the resolution of flashbacks related to chronic PTSD with prazosin dosed 3 times a day. As the half-life of prazosin is only 2 to 3 hours, even a twice daily dosing regimen may lead to breakthrough symptoms between doses. This case proposes a unique dosing strategy for prazosin and need for further research utilizing multiple daily doses of prazosin in the treatment of PTSD.
Recommended Citation
Richardson, Christie; Swartz, Alexander; and Forsberg, Martin, "Prazosin Dosed 3 Times a Day to Treat Flashbacks Related to PTSD: A Case Report" (2022). Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research. 252.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/som_facpub/252
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
Published Citation
Richardson C, Swartz A, Forsberg M. Prazosin dosed 3 times a day to treat flashbacks related to PTSD: A case report. Ment Health Clin [Internet]. 2022;12(4):267-9. DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2022.08.267.
Included in
Heterocyclic Compounds Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Pharmaceutical Preparations Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry Commons
