title: The efficacy of prazosin for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder nightmares in U.S. military veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nightmares associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are a hallmark symptom among U.S. military veterans who have seen combat. Management of combat-related nightmares can be difficult and current pharmacologic options are limited and tend to have adverse side effects. The aim of this review is to explore recent literature regarding the efficacy of prazosin for the treatment of nightmare disorder in the veteran population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recent literature consisting of three systematic reviews was reviewed, as well as current clinical guidelines published by The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and The Department of Defense (DoD) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prazosin has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD trauma-related nightmares. As a result of its low side effect profile and abilities to improve both sleep and reduce trauma nightmares, prazosin has been recommended as an adjunct therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prazosin should be initiated as an adjunctive treatment to promote sleep in those suffering from PTSD nightmares. It should be initiated at 1 mg and then titrated upward until absence or desired reduction of nightmares is achieved, with a maximum dosage recommendation of 20 mg at bedtime and 5 mg midmorning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Practice Nursing, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana.
authors.forename: Annamarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Practice Nursing, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana.
authors.forename: Kory
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blankley
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Practice Nursing, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fine
mesh_terms: D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D011224:Prazosin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012890:Sleep; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D011224:Prazosin
keywords: Prazosin; nightmares; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); veteran