About The Medications We Use

Why Prazosin or Doxazosin?

Other medications leave symptoms untreated

PTSD symptoms include problems with sleep, hyperarousal or feeling on edge, and nightmares and flashbacks. The most commonly used medications for PTSD are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) like sertraline and paroxetine. Still, they do not address the sleep problems, nightmares, flashbacks, or fight, flight, or freeze seen in PTSD (1), whereas prazosin, an evidence-based treatment, does.

Prazosin was found to be 77% more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms than SSRIs. As for nightmares, prazosin is particularly effective, found to be 200% more effective than a placebo in reducing nightmares (1).

We support conventional psychiatric medications and trauma-focused counseling. We do not believe prazosin or doxazosin is a replacement for traditional treatment, and we have seen the best results when combining medication and counseling.

How They Work

When people with PTSD have nightmares or flashbacks, their brains and bodies respond as if they are still in danger. This causes adrenaline to be released, their hearts to beat faster, their blood vessels to constrict, and their blood pressure to rise.

Prazosin and doxazosin are alpha-blockers, meaning they block the adrenaline response while relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels. By blocking the adrenaline response known as fight, flight, or freeze and stopping nightmares and flashbacks, you begin to address the root of PTSD.

How to Get The Most Out of Your Treatment