Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a chronic and disabling condition. Post-traumatic nightmares (PTNs) form a core component of PTSD and are highly prevalent in this patient population. Nightmares in PTSD have been associated with significant distress, functional impairment, poor health outcomes, and decreased quality of life. Nightmares in PTSD are also an independent risk factor for Level C The following medications may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares, but the data are low grade and sparse: trazodone, atypical antipsychotic medications, topiramate, low dose Cortisol, fluvoxamine, triazolam and nitrazepam, phenelzine, gabapentin, cyproheptadine, and tricyclic antidepressants. Frequently, sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and nightmares, are symptoms of PTSD that are refractory to antidepressant treatment. Gabapentin, a novel anticonvulsant agent, has been of Level C. The following medications may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares, but the data are low grade and sparse: trazodone, atypical antipsychotic medications, topiramate, low dose cortisol, fluvoxamine, triazolam and nitrazepam, phenelzine, gabapentin, cyproheptadine, and tricyclic antidepressants. Nightmares often improve with successful treatment of the primary psychiatric disorder (eg, anxiety, depression, PTSD). (See 'Treatment of co-occurring psychiatric disorders' above.) Severe and chronic nightmares – Treatments include psychotherapy and medication. The choice can be individualized according to patient preferences and access to PTSD-associated nightmares are the most studied since up to 80% of patients with PTSD report having nightmares. 7 In general, the presence of nightmares following a traumatic experience predicts subsequent onset of PTSD. The symptoms associated with PTSD are classified into three clusters: (1) intrusive/re-experiencing, (2) avoidant/numbing PTSD-associated nightmares are the most studied since up to 80% of patients with PTSD report having nightmares. 7 In general, the presence of nightmares following a traumatic experience predicts subsequent onset of PTSD. The symptoms associated with PTSD are classified into three clusters: (1) intrusive/re-experiencing, (2) avoidant/numbing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may improve significantly with antidepressant medications, however some phenomena often remain refractory to the most commonly used treatments. Frequently, sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and nightmares, are symptoms of PTSD that are refractory to antidepressant treatment. Gabapentin, a novel anticonvulsant agent, has been of interest as a On day 3, the gabapentin was increased to 300 mg b.i.d., which further reduced his irritability. His sleep increased to 6 hours a night without awakenings. Over the course of 3 months, Mr. A noted a distinct reduction in nightmares and flashbacks, and his depression improved. Several case reports and small-scale trials have reported improvements in various PTSD symptoms following gabapentin treatment. These improvements include reduced nightmares, decreased anxiety, improved sleep quality, and overall reduction in PTSD symptom severity. Gabapentin Gabapentin is approved to treat seizures and postherpetic neuralgia and also is used to treat neuropathic pain. When 300 to 3,600 mg/d (mean dosage, 1,300 mg/d) of gabapentin was added to medication regi-mens, most patients reported decreased fre - quency or intensity of nightmares. 9 Monitor patients for sedation, dizziness, mood This retrospective study suggests that gabapentin may improve in particular sleep difficulties and also other symptoms associated with chronic PTSD. Prospective, controlled studies are needed to further investigate the effects of gabapentin on insomnia, nightmares, and other core PTSD symptoms. Summary of Recommendations: Prazosin is recommended for treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-associ-ated nightmares. Level A Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is recommended for treatment of nightmare disorder. Gabapentin: A single retrospective study of gabapentin in patients with PTSD showed a marked or moderate improvement in sleep, as well as a decreased frequency or intensity of nightmares. 28. Gabapentin: Gabapentin does a few different things. It’s an anticonvulsant, but it can also help with neuropathic pain, anxiety, and sleep. Only one small study was reported to support its use for nightmares. The following medications may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares, but the data are low grade and sparse: trazodone, atypical antipsychotic medications, topiramate, low dose cortisol, fluvoxamine, triazolam and nitrazepam, phenelzine, gabapentin, cyproheptadine, and tricyclic antidepressants. In one trial, topiramate helped reduce frequency of nightmares in PTSD patients. 42 Gabapentin, when used as adjunct therapy, was found to reduce frequency of nightmares and insomnia. 43 Gabapentin is generally well tolerated with mild side effects and thus might be an effective option for adjunctive therapy. It is important to note that none Comprehensive reviews of the pharmacological treatment of PTSD-related nightmares and insomnia were published in 2006 (Maher et al., 2006; van Liempt et al., 2006a; van Liempt et al., 2006b), concluding generally that evidence-based guidelines for specifically treating PTSD-related nightmares and insomnia could not be established due to a lack Frequently, sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and nightmares, are symptoms of PTSD that are refractory to antidepressant treatment. Gabapentin, a novel anticonvulsant agent, has been of interest as a potential anxiolytic agent, but has not been evaluated in PTSD. In a retrospective review of gabapentin as adjunctive therapy for PTSD, gabapentin was found to be helpful for insomnia and also reduced the frequency of nightmares . Lithium is a mood stabilizer with well-established efficacy for treating recurrent affective disorders.
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