Olanzapine in the treatment-resistant, combat-related PTSD--a series of case reports.
OBJECTIVE
Nightmares and insomnia in combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might be resistant to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines.


METHODS
We describe five case reports of patients suffering from long-lasting and intractable nightmares and insomnia. They were given different psychotropic agents in past few years, with no improvement in their sleep disturbance. Olanzapine was added to the current treatment regimen.


RESULTS
Both nightmares and insomnia improved rapidly after olanzapine institution in all of five patients. No adverse events of olanzapine were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Olanzapine augmentation might be useful in alleviating treatment-resistant nightmares and insomnia in patients with combat-related PTSD.
Jakovljević
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb-Rebro, Croatia.
Sagud
M
M
Mihaljević-Peles
A
A
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014857:Warfare
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors