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Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

Clonidine and guanfacine are alpha-2 receptor agonists that decrease sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is theorized to be related to a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Currently, the only US Food and Drug Admi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Belkin, Molly R, Schwartz, Thomas L
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Just Medical Media Limited 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4544272/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26322115
http://dx.doi.org/10.7573/dic.212286
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author Belkin, Molly R
Schwartz, Thomas L
author_facet Belkin, Molly R
Schwartz, Thomas L
author_sort Belkin, Molly R
collection PubMed
description Clonidine and guanfacine are alpha-2 receptor agonists that decrease sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is theorized to be related to a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for PTSD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline and paroxetine. Sometimes use of the SSRIs may not lead to full remission and symptoms of hyperarousal often persist. This article specifically reviews the literature on alpha-2 receptor agonist use for the treatment of PTSD and concludes that while the evidence base is limited, these agents might be considered useful when SSRIs fail to treat symptoms of agitation and hyperarousal in patients with PTSD.
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spelling pubmed-45442722015-08-28 Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder Belkin, Molly R Schwartz, Thomas L Drugs Context Review Clonidine and guanfacine are alpha-2 receptor agonists that decrease sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is theorized to be related to a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for PTSD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline and paroxetine. Sometimes use of the SSRIs may not lead to full remission and symptoms of hyperarousal often persist. This article specifically reviews the literature on alpha-2 receptor agonist use for the treatment of PTSD and concludes that while the evidence base is limited, these agents might be considered useful when SSRIs fail to treat symptoms of agitation and hyperarousal in patients with PTSD. Just Medical Media Limited 2015-08-14 /pmc/articles/PMC4544272/ /pubmed/26322115 http://dx.doi.org/10.7573/dic.212286 Text en Copyright © 2015 Belkin MR, Schwartz TL. Distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License Deed CC BY 3.0 which allows anyone to copy, distribute, and transmit the article provided it is properly attributed in the manner specified below.
spellingShingle Review
Belkin, Molly R
Schwartz, Thomas L
Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
title Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
title_full Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
title_fullStr Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
title_full_unstemmed Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
title_short Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
title_sort alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
topic Review
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4544272/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26322115
http://dx.doi.org/10.7573/dic.212286
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