Possible Hope for PTSD Nightmares

Thought those of you struggling with nightmares associated with PTSD may find this helpful. It's still in the testing stage, so I'm not sure how many psychiatrists would be aware of it's possible therapeutic usages, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Basically, ACE-inhibitors, which have been around for decades for use as blood-pressure lowering drugs, are showing promise to being used to prevent nightmares when taken before bed, as well as other symptoms. The interesting thing is they tried other BP drugs (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc) and none of them worked like the ACE-inhibitors. The thought is that the renin-angiotensin system must be directly involved with the fight-or-flight response that plagues people with PTSD.

The good news is since the drug has been around so long and the side-effects are already known (and there aren't very many side effects, especially compared to most psych meds) you don't have to wait around for the drug to go through testing. Drugs are prescribed for off-label use all the time, the challenge now would be in getting the word out to different psychiatrists and get some more studies going. Considering ACE-inhibitors have such mild side effects, I wouldn't think being a guinea pig would be all that bad in this situation. Good luck!

http://news.emory.edu/stories/2012/05/blood_pressure_drugs_linked_with_lower_ptsd_symptoms/

http://article.psychiatrist.com/dao_1-login.asp?ID=10007857&RSID=33731265034532