Pharmacotherapy to prevent PTSD: Results from a randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial in physically injured patients.
Acute physical injury is frequently associated with mental health sequelae, which then accentuate disability and worsen functional outcomes. A pharmacological prevention approach to this problem has been proposed. This proof-of-concept study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 14 days of the beta-blocker propranolol (n = 17), the anxiolytic anticonvulsant gabapentin (n = 14), or placebo (n = 17), administered within 48 hours of injury to patients admitted to a surgical trauma center. Of 569 accessible, potentially eligible subjects, 48 (8%) participated. Outcomes assessments were conducted at 1, 4, and 8 months postinjury. Although well tolerated, neither study drug showed a significant benefit over placebo on depressive or posttraumatic stress symptoms. Implications are discussed for future pharmacological prevention studies in survivors of acute traumatic injury.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002140:California; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000588:Amines; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D010919:Placebos; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D011433:Propranolol