Farmakologisk behandling av posttraumatisk stresslidelse.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this paper is to examine the literature on the emerging pharmacological treatment options for posttraumatic stressdisorder. Based upon neurobiological research, it's role in today's treatment is suggested to be more important than earlier thought. This and the fact that the recovery rate for the guideline medication SSRI is less than 30 %, argues for the need for widening of the pharmacological treatment register.

Methods: Systematic search for relevant literature on pharmacologic treatment of posttraumatic stressdisorder has been conducted in Pubmed, Medline and PsycInfo. The following terms and their synonyms were used : «Posttraumatic stressdisorder», «Prazosine», «Clonidine», «MDMA», «Adrenerg Betablockers», «Cortisol», «Ketamine» and «D-cycloserine». This resulted in a total of 39 reviews, 17 of these were selected and thoroughly read. Sources of the reviews were also included in the study when this was appropriate.

Results: The search yielded promising results for several of the medical agents in the treatment of established PTSD-diagnosis, secondary prophylaxis and as an enhancer of the learning of fear extinction in psychotherapy.

Conclusions: No new suggestions of guideline-treatment can be made at this point, because of the methodological lack in thoroughness of the material included. Still it is encouraging for more research to be conducted.