Can Cyproheptadine help with PTSD Nightmares?
Psychiatry Education Forum Academy has a complete lecture series on PTSD management where Dr. Harvinder Singh has collaborated with Dr. David Osser.
In this lecture series, Dr. David Osser has summarized the 2021 treatment update for PTSD management from the Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project and Dr. Harvinder Singh has presented other chapters to complete this educational series.
The diagnosis of PTSD requires the presence of symptoms from the following clusters:
- Re-experiencing
- Avoidance
- Sense of current threat.
Nightmares related to PTSD are included in the re-experiencing cluster.
- This includes having upsetting dreams that replay part of the traumatic experience or are clearly related to the experience.
- The most common emotions associated with nightmares are fear-related, but anger and disgust have also been reported. (Sleep Med. Rev. 2007;11:295–310)
Among pharmaceutical treatment options: Prazosin has the strongest date on efficacy for PTSD nightmares but some patients may not be able to tolerate this medication due to hypotensive effect and related events.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS WHEN PRAZOSIN IS NOT TOLERATED?
Our academy’s lecture series has discussed these options in detail. Cyproheptadine is one of the available options with efficacy for PTSD nightmares.
We have uploaded this chapter on our YouTube channel (available for free preview below).
This chapter will be discussed in the following sections:
- Mechanism of Action
- How to Dose for PTSD nightmares?
- Comparing studies for PTSD nightmares.
- Adverse Events
- Cautions & Contraindications
INTERESTED IN ACCESS TO THIS & OTHER CLINICALLY RELEVANT LECTURE SERIES?
JOIN PSYCHIATRY EDUCATION FORUM ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP:
FOR ACADEMY MEMBERS:
Trauma and Stress Related Disorders: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
This lecture series contains the following chapters:
- PTSD versus Complex PTSD: How to Diagnose?
- Managing PTSD with Comorbidities: Substance abuse, Depression, Bipolar disorder, Psychosis & Pregnancy.
- Sleep Problems with PTSD: Assessment and Management.
- Prazosin: for nightmares or disturned awakenings?
- Prazosin: Dosing & Titration schedule for men and women.
- Terazosin: for PTSD management.
- Doxazosin: medication option if prazosin or terazosin are not tolerated.
- What if insomnia is poor onset type and not nightmares or hyperarousal?
- Role of SSRIs for PTSD management: What is the Evidence?
- Role of SNRI, Mirtazapine & Bupropion for PTSD management.
- PTSD-related Psychosis management.
- What is left for treatment-resistant PTSD management?
- Cyproheptadine for PTSD nightmares.
- Nabilone for PTSD management?
INTERESTED IN ACCESS TO THIS & OTHER CLINICALLY RELEVANT LECTURE SERIES?
JOIN PSYCHIATRY EDUCATION FORUM ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP
This is a closed membership for medical professionals only.
- 30+ Courses/Sections: Each chapter within these sections is of direct clinical relevance for your daily practice.
- Journal Club: we will post the most recently published psychiatry articles relevant to your daily clinical practice.
- Coffee Club: contain short discussions with clinical experts in the field of psychiatry.
- Clinical Case Discussions: Discussions of clinical cases from our daily clinical practice.
- Discussion Forum & Community: Connect with other medical professionals and discuss your difficult-to-treat clinical cases.
- Essentials of Inpatient Psychiatry Book: All chapters from this book are included in the academy sections.
- Goal: is to have all important clinically relevant topics in one place for ease of access.
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DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR: Residents & Students ONLY.
Email us your student information (program information and way to confirm your student status) to: HSingh@PsychiatryEducationForum.com
