title: Pharmacologic reduction of CNS noradrenergic activity in PTSD: the case for clonidine and prazosin.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. boehnlei@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Boehnlein
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kinzie
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011224:Prazosin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D013565:Sympatholytics; D003000:Clonidine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D011224:Prazosin