Prazosin and Dizziness: What Users Say

• JTH...
• July 14, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Prazosin is very helpful for anxiety and stress, especially for those with occupations that require vigilance. I started with 1 mg at bedtime for nightmares and insomnia, but started taking it during the daytime as well for stress and anxiety. Only when I first started did I have a few episodes of mild dizziness, but the dizziness is gone now. It also seems to help with BPH symptoms."

• Gig...
• April 28, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been taking Prazosin for about four months. Initially, I was prescribed 1 mg at bedtime for nightmares. During the first week, I noticed that my nightmares seemed much less severe. By the middle of my second week, the dreams were more like strangely vivid, weird dreams. At the tail end of the first 30 days, I felt like my nightmares had stopped. Physically, I dealt with some dizziness, like for the first 15 minutes. Most of the next two months, I slept pretty well-or so I thought. One morning, my husband confronted me about hitting and kicking him in my sleep. That increased over the course of a couple of weeks. My clinician is slowly increasing the Prazosin over the course of the next month-from 1 mg to 4 mg. I have been taking 2 mg for the past three nights and feel amazing. My sleep is much closer to my normal. For me, normal is 5 to 6 hours. I wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested with no muscle pain or tension."

• Tia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I took my first 1 mg prazosin dose last night and noticed dizziness within 30 minutes. It did not help with my nightmares. Upon waking up, my heart began to pound so badly that I also felt it in my head, which caused a migraine that I still have while writing this. I was sweating profusely, could hardly see anything due to almost passing out, and had extremely loud ringing in my ears. I had to lay down this morning for about two hours because if I tried to stand, those symptoms would immediately start up again. I called my doctor and was told to not take it again due to it dangerously lowering my blood pressure. I would not recommend this medication for PTSD treatment based on my horrible experience."

• MMa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 30, 2014

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I've been taking prazosin to help with post-traumatic stress disorder nightmares for over 5 years. When my doctor told me about it, I was ready to try anything to get the nightmares to stop as they were the most intrusive continuous PTSD symptom of mine. I started at 1mg, worked my way to 2mg, and found that it worked very well. For a couple of years now, I am only taking 0.5mg as a maintenance dose. The only side effect I ever experienced was some dizziness upon standing after I took it at night, but that disappeared quickly."

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 16, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Prazosin 1 mg-2 mg helps with dreams, however, it can cause dizziness. It also helps in relaxation. Taken with acetaminophen, prazosin can greatly reduce aches associated with tremors common in PTSD. Hydration is important. Prazosin and a sleep aid similar to Tylenol PM can help with sleep, however, a restless night here and there is not uncommon. I am thankful to have this medication, it is helpful."

• gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Is it possible to have a reverse reaction to this drug? I started 1 mg per day, and I’ve had INCREDIBLY vivid dreams, about 8 dreams per night. Thankfully, none are nightmares, but some are stressful, like a dream about my boss yelling at me. I also can’t stand up for long, about 3 hours into it, I get dizzy, I start hearing colors, if that makes sense, and I lose touch with reality. It’s all relieved by sitting or lying down again. The last but not least side effect is heart palpitations, which are exacerbated by even the least physical activity, like standing up. I assumed this was just first dose syndrome and it would work properly once my body adjusted to it. The thing is, it’s been two weeks now, and I’m starting to think these opposite effects aren’t gonna go away."

• pts...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2014

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been taking 2 mg prazosin for a month. My nightmares have decreased and I'm actually having dreams unrelated to trauma. I do feel dizzy and feel a bit faint, my hands are shaky and I'm experiencing constipation, but nothing I can't handle. The fact that my daytime flashbacks have decreased and I can sleep and am without nightmares is worth the risk."

• Baw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have suffered from traumatic PTSD nightmares, or just generally depressing and sad dreams for over 8 years. I was self-medicating with marijuana for a very long time because it removed all dream recall for me, but my quality of sleep was not good. Immediately upon the first night of taking this (1 mg), it was an immediate improvement of no nightmares. I have since gone to 5 mg due to a few nights of bad dreams at the 1 mg dose and it being more vivid than ever before. But since increasing the dose, no nightmares regularly. Maybe one every so often, but the difference in my sleep and sleep quality cannot be overstated. If you suffer from any type of nightmarish sleep or bad dreams, PLEASE ask your doctor about this medication as it may give you your life back. I do feel faint and dizzy at times if I get up at night to use the restroom, but I already have low blood pressure as it is. But I don’t care - it’s a trade-off I will make."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I'm a former paramedic with complex PTSD, and I've been taking prazosin for one year to help with my nightmares. I used to kick and scream during my nightmares. I woke up so sweaty I had to change during the night and sleep in a different spot. I still have nightmares, but they aren't terrifying like they used to be. I no longer have night sweats. My only beef is with the major dizziness and tachycardia the following morning. I've tried stopping these meds because of the side effects, but trust me: the benefits far outweigh them."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2015

For Nightmares "Been taking 1 mg of prazosin for the last 2 months for PTSD nightmares that were causing sleep problems. Nightmares stopped the first day I took it, but I experienced severe headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and a lack of energy. As I got used to it, the symptoms gradually improved but did not go away completely. If I've been drinking, the symptoms will worsen, but it is bearable. Overall, my nightmares have become rare, and I can sleep through the night; the side effects are worth it."

• jk1...
• September 16, 2010

Prazosin for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "This medication really put a stop to the nightmares, as well as the flashbacks for me. The side effects are very minimal (if I stand up too quickly, I get a bit dizzy), and it's really been nothing but a good thing for me."

• mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "After getting off of the max of trazodone, my doctor prescribed me this so I can get a better night's rest without having nightmares. This has been making me stay up all night. It's acting like speed and is increasing my heart rate. I feel dizzy and nauseous, and I am shaking as if I had a gallon of black coffee."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I had such terrible nightmares and night terrors for about 10 years. I got to the point where I didn't sleep much. I was afraid to fall asleep. I craved sleep but couldn't. I was finally hospitalized. Staff documented I didn't sleep at all for the first 5 days I was there. Then sleep meds got me to sleep and nightmares with talking and screaming started. They added prazosin, which helps me. I still have nightmares sometimes, but I am much improved. Side effects include extreme thirst, dry mouth, and eyes. I also have to be careful about the dizziness it causes if I have to wake up before my sleep cycle is finished. Bottom line, not sleeping caused so many problems I put up with the side effects."

• Esc...
• October 16, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I use this for nightmares related to C-PTSD. I was getting nightly terrors, just screaming nightmares every night related to flashbacks, I couldn't tell the difference between being asleep or awake and would wake up exhausted and stay that way throughout the day. With this drug, my nightmares have stopped, but I feel very dizzy and lethargic the next morning, and often more depressed. My sleep is much better, but the mornings are a write-off as I end up in tears for hours after waking. I guess the stress needs to escape somehow, and instead of through sleeping, I get more of an effect upon waking. The drug does work to get rid of the nightmares, though."

• pts...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Went on this because I was looking for something non-habit forming to replace Ativan to help with my bad anxiety and flashbacks/nightmares at night. Sadly, it did absolutely nothing to reduce the severity of any of my symptoms and also messed with my blood pressure, which made me dizzy and almost pass out when I'd wake up. :( I was taken off of it pretty quickly because of what it did to my blood pressure."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 26, 2012

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I used to have terrifying, gory nightmares. Now I sleep through the night with very few times having to deal with horrible dreams. It does make me pretty dizzy, though, which in the middle of the day at work does not help."

• jay...
• July 17, 2013

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been on the prazosin for 4 weeks. I started on 1 mg, and after the first week, I went to 2 mg. I'm still having nightmares, and I'm exhausted during the day. I've also gained 9 lbs since starting it. I'm very frustrated. I haven't had any other side effects, like dizziness."

• 4Go...
• March 11, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I’ve had PTSD since 9/11. I’d wake several times a night in a jump scare state, or as soon as I’d begin to relax, my mind would wander back to that day and my heart would be racing. It was hard trying some sleep tablets, Valium, even Ambien, which puts everyone to sleep! Years of night terrors went on until I couldn’t even work anymore. My psychiatrist suggested Minipress, it was a wonder drug! In hindsight, I now feel the name brand Minipress was a bit too heavy for me in the daytime, or maybe I should’ve taken a lower dosage. But when my pharmacy told me that TEVA began manufacturing a generic under the name prazosin, it's amazing, it’s changed my life. I’m still able to think and function without feeling weak and sad. I can sleep at night, and I had even begun having pleasant dreams. Only now, my insurance won’t cover it, and I’ve been forced to get the Mylan brand. The headaches and weight gain, nausea, and dizziness are so bad that after 3 months, I just started paying out of pocket."

• Dmh...
• October 10, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety five years ago, been on many meds for it, trying to find one that works for me better than Valium because of its addictive behavior. This prazosin didn't work at all, I got severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, and still couldn't sleep."

• alp...
• September 7, 2018

For Nightmares "This is a true miracle drug for treating PTSD-related nightmares and night terrors. This drug has to be increased very slowly and gradually to reduce side effects such as dizziness. I have read that this drug can be increased to a maximum of 25 mg per day. But I would start with 1 mg and gradually up the dose over a period of weeks/months until your symptoms disappear. Sleep like a newborn baby, LITERALLY. After years of suffering with the most horrendous of nightmares, I was terrified to go to sleep. Now that's a thing of the past. I have been experimenting with using prazosin during the day, but it seems most effective when taken 1 hour before bed. I have flashbacks during the day, so I will be writing another review/report in the next few months after experimenting with 3 mg first thing in the morning and 5 mg at night. This also works well with melatonin 3 mg."

• Wol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I've been on this drug for the past two months and have finally hit 3 mg (my goal is 4), and while I still have vivid dreams, they're not as nightmarish, and I don't wake up with instant anxiety nearly as often. I've found it to be super helpful, although having low blood pressure can definitely make me dizzy at times. Definitely can be worse if you take it while super drunk."

• NoO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "After 30 years of night terrors, among other life traumas, and almost a year of doctors saying, 'You have MDD,' attempting suicide, cutting, and other anger, anxiety, and social issues. I learned yesterday that I have PTSD, social anxiety, depression, etc. I was taken off two propranolol and hydroxyzine, and they were replaced with prazosin and risperidone. Although last night was only my first night taking prazosin, and I was told to take it alone. Well, I did that around 9 pm, stayed up for about two hours after taking it, finally getting sleepy around 11 pm or close to it. I got up off the couch to go to bed a little off balance. Abruptly awoke at 1:30 am, more off balance, and cannot go back to sleep. Not sure if I had a nightmare, but anxiety is high."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Nightmares "Started taking prazosin medicine 3 weeks ago after finally admitting that nearly 20 years of PTSD-induced nightmares was no way to live. Slight improvement to sleep quality and quantity week 1 at 1 mg, significant improvement week 2 at 2 mg. Now at 3 mg, and I am beyond thrilled. No dreams noticed (good or bad) since upping to 3 mg, I now sleep through the night, and most importantly, no more waking up screaming and fighting. Some grogginess during the first few days after each step up, but for me, it was more than manageable. Feels a bit funny as it takes effect (slight shaking and dizziness), but it's easily shaken off (for me). Still takes work to fall asleep, but overall, much improvement. Definitely my wonder drug."

• Row...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2019

For Nightmares "I had nightmares for many years every night. I wasn't sleeping more than an hour at a time most nights... until I was so exhausted that I either got sick or slept for 12 hours flat out. I've been on prazosin for nightmares for about three years now and I love it. I haven't had a nightmare wake me up since I started taking it. I take 1 mg-2 mg at bedtime. If I take one, I have to sleep at least 7 hours to not feel groggy. If I take 2 mg, I have to get a full 9 hours or I feel groggy all morning. A couple of times I felt dizzy on waking in the night for the toilet. Other than these, I've had no other side effects."

• Dah...
• March 3, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Not a good med. Drops BP to very low levels like 70/45 and lower. Caused dizziness, very hard pounding of heart, very close to passing out, drop in oxygen levels, tiredness. This all comes on suddenly."