Ma. Hertzberg et al., TRIAL TRAZODONE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER USING A MULTIPLE BASE-LINE GROUP DESIGN, Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 16(4), 1996, pp. 294-298
Six patients with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
entered a multiple-baseline trial of trazodone, beginning with 50 mg/d
ay and increasing to 400 mg/day until response was maximal. Total Clin
ician-Administered PTSD Scale scores decreased aom a mean of 92 at bas
eline to 79 at end point, and self-reported PTSD symptoms as measured
by the Davidson Trauma Scale paralleled these results (mean of 102 at
baseline to 88 at end point). Based on clinician global improvement sc
ores, four patients were rated as much improved and two were rated to
be minimally improved. Improvement in social and occupational function
ing, and depression was minimal, Available follow-up scores for PTSD s
ymptoms indicated that gains were maintained, Sleep was the first symp
tom to improve at 2 to 3 months. No dropouts during the treatment peri
od occurred, and reported side effects were quite low. These prelimina
ry data suggest that trazodone may be effective in reducing the three
primary clusters of symptoms of PTSD. These findings should be confirm
ed by using a larger sample in a double-blind, placebo-controlled stud
y.