title: The use of clonidine in the treatment of nightmares among patients with co-morbid PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the successful treatment of PTSD associated nightmares in two patients with PTSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The report of the successful use of clonidine to treat PTSD associated nightmares among two Veterans following combat exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clonidine, a centrally acting alpha-agonist agent used to treat hypertension, stimulates alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain stem. This action results in reduced sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. We hypothesize that this central mechanism of action is why clonidine may be more effective in treating nightmares among patients with PTSD when compared with other agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clonidine should be considered as an alternative in the treatment of nightmares among patients with PTSD.
authors: VA Medical Center, Syracuse, New York, USA.
authors: Adekola
authors: A
authors: Alao
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Selvarajah
authors: Syed
authors: S
authors: Razi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D003000:Clonidine