Efficacy of Prazosin in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To consolidate the evidence from the literature to evaluate the role of prazosin in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


METHODS
Major databases, including PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ovid PsycINFO, and Scopus, were searched through August 2015 for studies reporting the role of prazosin in the treatment of PTSD with no language constraints. Keywords included (PTSD OR posttraumatic stress OR posttraumatic stress OR nightmares) AND prazosin.


METHODS
Of 402 screened articles, 6 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.


METHODS
Two reviewers independently extracted relevant data (study characteristics, type of intervention, outcome measures, and follow-up) from the included studies using a standardized data extraction form. Only randomized controlled trials comparing prazosin to a placebo or control group in patients with PTSD were included.


RESULTS
The patients with PTSD receiving prazosin showed significant improvement in nightmares (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.72-1.30), overall PTSD symptoms (SMD = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.48-1.06), and clinical global improvement (SMD = 0.94; 95%, CI 0.6-1.29) compared to the placebo/control group. Prazosin improved sleep quality (SMD = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.55-1.19), hyperarousal symptoms (SMD = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.23-1.84), dream content (SMD = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.69-1.97), and total sleep time (60.98 minutes; 95% CI, 18.69-103.26). Prazosin was fairly well tolerated. Minor side effects were reported, which were similar between the prazosin and placebo groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that prazosin improves nightmares and overall PTSD symptoms including hyperarousal, sleep disturbances, total sleep time, and sleep quality.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1919 Elm St N, Fargo, ND 58102. balwinder.singh@med.und.edu.|Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
Balwinder
B
Singh
Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Andrew J
AJ
Hughes
Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA.
Gaurav
G
Mehta
Mayo Clinic Libraries, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Patricia J
PJ
Erwin
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA.
Ajay K
AK
Parsaik
D000328:Adult; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011224:Prazosin