مقايسه اثر كلونيدين و پرازوسين بر كابوس هاي اختلال استرس پس از سانحه جنگ

The Comparison between Prazosin & Clonidine Effect on Combat Related P.T.S.D Nightmares

Introduction: P. T. S. D is a psychiatric (anxiety) disorder that may develop after a catastrophic stress. One of itʹs symptoms is nightmares that usually is sever and impaire sleep. Some studies show increased activity of adrenergic system in this disorder. Also, some drugs such as Clonidine, guanfacine and prazosin that decrease the activity of this system, decrease symptoms of PTSD, such as nightmares. In this study we compared the effects of clonidine and prazosin on nightmares of these patients. Method: On a dobule blinded clinical trial we studied two groups of inpatient PTSD by using clonidine or prazosin in each group for 8 weeks. Then we rate the frequency, deepness and serverity of the nightmares. All of the patients were male, married and chronic form of disorder and those who abuser or addicted, psychotic disorders or had a medical problem for taking these drugs were not in the trial. Results: In both groups the average of nightmares severity reduced, and they were statistically significant (P<0.001), but the difference between two groups were not statistically significant (P?0.05). Discussion: Prazosin and clonidine may be effective for treatment of nightmares of PTSD patientʹs but there are not significant differences between them.