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Preventing post traumatic stress disorder: are drugs the answer?
Susan Fletcher1, Mark Creamer, David Forbes
1Australian Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. susanlf@unimelb.edu.au
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|November 13, 2010
Summary
Chemoprophylaxis for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lacks robust evidence. While some drugs show potential, more rigorous studies are needed to address challenges before widespread use.
Area of Science:
- Traumatic Stress Research
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Chemoprophylaxis for traumatic stress is poorly understood and debated.
- Limited rigorous studies exist to support its use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore issues surrounding the use of pharmacotherapy for preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- To review empirical evidence for chemoprophylaxis in traumatic stress.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed, PsychArticles, and Web of Knowledge for 'chemo/pharmaco prevention/prophylaxis' and 'PTSD'.
- Included 15 empirical studies (5 RCTs) investigating pharmacotherapy for preventing PTSD onset.
- Excluded studies on established PTSD treatment.
Main Results:
- Evidence reviewed for prophylactic use of alcohol, morphine, propranolol, and hydrocortisone.
- Identified significant challenges in implementing pharmacological interventions for PTSD prevention.
- Highlighted a scarcity of empirical data despite increased attention.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence for PTSD chemoprophylaxis is limited.
- Larger studies are needed for medications like propranolol and hydrocortisone.
- Ethical and practical questions must be resolved before recommending widespread use.
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