• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapy and Social Work
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » Common PTSD Drug Doesn’t Really Help

Common PTSD Drug Doesn’t Really Help

February 1, 2007
From The Carlat Psychiatry Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Ivan Oransky, MD

Guanfacine is an alpha-2 agonists approved for the treatment of hyperten- sion, but commonly prescribed for post- traumatic stress disorder. Like clonidine, another alpha-2 agonist, guanfacine is believed to decrease norepinephrine release from noradrenergic neurons during states of heightened arousal. In the first randomized, controlled trial of an alpha-2 agonist for PTSD, guanfacine (average dose 2.4 mg QD) was no more effective at reducing symptoms of PTSD than placebo. In addition, the drug was associated with significantly higher reports of adverse effects, including somnolence, lightheadedness, and dry mouth (Neylan et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006;163:2186-2188).

TCPR’s Take: While we don’t suggest ditching a potential treatment based ona single study, the onus is now on the research community to provide solid evidence that alpha-2 agonists are helpful for PTSD. On the bright side, prazosin, an antihypertensive with a slightly different mechanism of action (alpha-1 blockade) has been shown effective for symptoms of PTSD in controlled trials (Raskind MA, Biol Psychiatry 2006;Oct 25, epub, available online).

General Psychiatry
KEYWORDS ptsd
    www.thecarlatreport.com
    Issue Date: February 1, 2007
    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Table Of Contents
    How to Read a Journal Article
    Statistical Significance: What Does it Really Mean?
    Clarifying the Risks of Antidepressants
    Vitamin E and Cognitive Function in Women
    Common PTSD Drug Doesn’t Really Help
    A Cure for Amphetamine Dependence?
    Curb Your Enthusiasm!
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    Featured Book
    • PB4e_Cover2.png

      Psychiatry Practice Boosters, Fourth Edition (2023)

      Teaches you the key points of 63 of the most clinically relevant studies in psychiatry.
      READ MORE
    Featured Video
    • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
      General Psychiatry

      Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

      Read More
    Featured Podcast
    • canstockphoto6759394.jpg
      General Psychiatry

      Throwback Thursday: Brief Therapy for ADHD

      You started a stimulant medication for a young woman with ADHD. When she returns her symptoms are 70% better, but what can we do about the rest? Today a conversation with...

      Listen now
    Recommended
    • Approaches to Autism Intervention

      January 31, 2022
      canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
    • Currently Available Cannabis Products

      September 1, 2022
    • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

      October 17, 2022
      ChildAssessment.png
    • Approaches to Autism Intervention

      January 31, 2022
      canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
    • Currently Available Cannabis Products

      September 1, 2022
    • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

      October 17, 2022
      ChildAssessment.png
    • Approaches to Autism Intervention

      January 31, 2022
      canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
    • Currently Available Cannabis Products

      September 1, 2022
    • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

      October 17, 2022
      ChildAssessment.png

    About

    • About Us
    • CME Center
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us

    Shop Online

    • Newsletters
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

    Newsletters

    • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
    • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Psychotherapy Report

    Contact

    info@thecarlatreport.com

    866-348-9279

    PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

    Follow Us

    Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

    © 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.