Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that causes persistent mental and emotional distress following a traumatic or terrifying event. Have you ever imagined panicking up in the middle of the night and experiencing such a scary event?
Although half of the adults in the US will experience at least one traumatic experience in their lifetime, most people will not go on to develop PTSD. It is estimated that more than 3% of American adults currently have PTSD, with people assigned female at birth and transgender people being more likely to develop PTSD than people assigned male at birth.
This article will discuss the different treatments available for PTSD and the most effective medications for this condition.
It is a psychiatric disorder that may occur to someone who has experienced or witnessed a past traumatic event similar to a terrorist act, a natural disaster, a severe accident, war/combat, or who has been through life-threatening events or sexual violence or severe injury is a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Previous to this, it was also known by the name of 'shell shock' during world war I and as 'combat fatigue' during the phase of World War II, but it doesn't need to occur to someone from war veterans only.
PTSD can occur to anyone with any traumatic background. Many people face the PTSD problem with a set of any ethnicity, nationality, or culture at any age. Approx. 3.5 percent of US adults are affected. An estimated one in 11 Americans is targeted for PTSD. This number doubles in women.
The current evidence base for the psychopharmacology of PTSD is most via all SSRIs, i.e., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Sertraline, Fluoxetine, and Paroxetine, as well as for SNRI,i.e., selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor such as Venlafaxine.
Only Paroxetine (Paxil) and Sertraline (Zoloft) are approved by the FDA for PTSD.
Most doctors recommend SSRIs and SNRIs as first-choice medications for people with PTSD.
Paroxetine is sold under the brand name Paxil. It is a commonly prescribed generic drug for anxiety and depression approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Paxil treats various conditions, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, GAD, and PMDD. Another condition that is used is Paxil for PE (premature ejaculation).
It's important to note that Paxil is not available over the counter and requires a prescription to be purchased from a certified online pharmacy or local drug store, as stated by Smith in 2005.
Paxil is the best SSRI medicine available on the market—paxil works by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical signal used for communication within the brain and nerves throughout the body.
People with PTSD may have changes in these chemical signals that contribute to PTSD symptoms. Twelve weeks is the pre-estimated time for these medicine takes to work.
Paxil is FDA-approved for treating PTSD and is one of the most common medications. In studies, Paxil effectively reduced PTSD symptoms in over 50% of those taking it and was well-tolerated. Studies show that over 54 % to 62% of patients get the best results from Paxil.
Paxil is not available over the counter in the US. It is only available with a prescription. Any person with PTSD cannot buy Paxil online as it is a US-controlled substance.
According to the observations from the clinical study, Paxil is comparatively more effective than the placebo drug, as only a few patients of the Paroxetine group did not experience any improvement in symptoms of at least 50% (99% CI 0.77–0.90, Random effect RR 0.83).
Significantly, more patients from the paroxetine group left their studies because of side effects than in the placebo group (95% CI 1.44–2.18, Random effect RR 1.77) or experienced suicidal tendencies (95% CI 1.17–5.54, Odds ratio 2.55).
Every medication that the FDA approves to treat a specific condition has a success rate according to the people's usage and working effectively on the condition. In terms of Paxil used for PTSD, It is observed that 12 weeks of treatment resulted in - remission rates were 61.2% and 44.0% for placebo, 72.9% and 52.5% for paroxetine IR, and 73.7% and 56.2% for paroxetine CR, respectively.
Any medication has its side effects. It also depends on who is consuming and various other aspects of the person's health. It deals with two different types of side effects. If you are suffering from severe effects, contact your doctor.
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Common Side Effects |
Severe Side Effects |
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Weakness |
Worsened depression |
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Sleepiness |
Suicidal thoughts |
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Delayed ejaculation |
Sleeplessness |
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Dizziness |
Dangerous impulses |
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Sweating |
Worsened anxiety |
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Shaking |
Agitation |
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Constipation |
Aggressive behavior |
Adults
If you miss any dose, take it as soon as you remind of it. However, if you exceed the time and it is almost time for another next dose, do not double the doses. Rather skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule.
Medications help manage PTSD in some individuals. However, treatment should also include counseling and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy (Talk therapy) is a highly recommended treatment for people with PTSD as it helps them manage PTSD by positively changing how they process and perceive traumatic events.
People may respond better to specific treatments, whether it is different types of psychotherapy or medications. Therefore, you should thoroughly discuss these options with your provider to determine your best option.
Medications help manage PTSD in some individuals. However, treatment should also include counseling and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy (Talk therapy) is a highly recommended treatment for people with PTSD as it helps them manage PTSD by positively changing how they process and perceive traumatic events.
People may respond better to specific treatments, whether it is different types of psychotherapy or medications. Therefore, you should thoroughly discuss these options with your provider to determine your best option.
PTSD can adversely impact an individual's lifestyle, including work, family, friends, and overall quality of life.
If left untreated, PTSD can have serious long-term consequences, including:
Symptoms of PTSD can become overwhelming, especially if left untreated. Research suggests that there is a strong connection between PTSD and suicide. One study found that suicide rates were 4 to 7 times higher for people with PTSD than those without it.
During PTSD, medicines should be taken after consultation with the medical practitioner, with all precautions. Certain medications might worsen symptoms or raise the risk of substance use disorder (SUD).
Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety conditions and panic attacks. However, some benzodiazepines are prescribed for people with PTSD. These include Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), and Clonazepam (Klonopin). However, research suggests that these drugs can worsen PTSD symptoms.
Apart from Benzodiazepines, Stimulant drugs should also be avoided in people with PTSD. CNS stimulants enhance activity and communication between brain cells to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, stimulants such as amphetamine salts (Adderall) can be risky in people with PTSD, as they are 14 times more likely than those without PTSD to develop SUD.
PTSD is a mental health condition, which if left untreated, can lead to long-term health complications. Behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and medications can help treat PTSD symptoms.
Paxil (Paroxetine), belonging to the class of Antidepressants, SSRI, is used for treating depression and related conditions. It is highly efficacious and the first choice of drug for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a well-tolerated drug that has significantly reduced all three PTSD symptom clusters, i.e., re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal.
However, people may respond differently to different therapies. Do not forget to discuss these options with your provider so you can find the best PTSD treatment for you.
KuÄukalić, A., Bravo-Mehmedbašić, A., & Džubur-Kulenović, A. (2008). Paroxetine in the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Our Experiences. Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 8(1), 76–79. https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2008.3002
