Prazosin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Ano...
• February 2, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "My new psych prescribed this prazosin for hypervigilance. (I've been dealing with this since I was a child.) I was asked to pick up a blood pressure monitor and to keep track. My blood pressure is about 107 over 68 before my dose. It changed a bit over a three-hour period, but the change was not significant. I took the pill with food. I did NOT experience any dizziness, nausea, or thumping heartbeat. I slept okay. Woke up ~10 times, as usual, but went back to sleep quickly. I had dreams, but nothing scary or alarming. I woke up and my BP is still normal. So, I took my second dose. (I read it's best to take the first dose at night. Since my hypervigilance is during the day, I'll be taking the med in the morning.) I noticed a dull headache after taking the medication. I'm tired this morning (nothing new) and my vision is a bit off (this happens after I consume sugar, so it may not be related?) I'll rate the med based on side effects, day 1. Note: I am not a veteran."

• 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."

• Lay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Wow, I have PTSD due to my husband's sex addiction. I had obtrusive thoughts and an extremely high startle response so that I hated nights. Sleep eluded me, and my mind dwelled. FINALLY! I sleep great and woke up SO HAPPY! I hope it lasts. I took 1 mg before bed. I got a light headache and felt a tad light-headed but WORTH IT! I hope all people struggling with PTSD at night try this! It is great!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I was given prazosin for PTSD and anxiety. Childhood trauma and 4 recent family deaths that traumatized me again. Took first last night, and stood up an hour later and felt very faint, been up all night on and off, and when I did sleep, I had a huge nightmare with my screaming again. This morning, I feel very hung over with a headache and still some shakiness - this is all because I had to move out of state and my new family doctor stopped my lorazepam and made me suffer needlessly (everything else has massive side effects and all SSRIs cause heart palps). Good luck, this stuff is too scary."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed this for anxiety, and it wiped my short-term memory. Still haven't fully recovered from it yet. I would ask the same question about a half dozen times within a three-hour span. Terrible headaches too! Little did I know that those headaches were about my brain being fried. But I am told that this doesn't happen to people."

• 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."

• Nod...
• January 21, 2017

For Nightmares "I take 0.5 mg for sleep terror. Started working immediately. No more night dread/fear experiences. Also reduces anxiety and depression, but this takes time. Would like to increase dose, but headaches stop me."

• ano...
• March 12, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "This actually elevated my blood pressure dramatically and induced tachycardia and also gave me terrible headaches and nasal congestion."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "This actually elevated my blood pressure dramatically and induced tachycardia and also gave me terrible headaches and nasal congestion. Same as another user above. How odd."

• Kwi...
• September 27, 2015

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "My blood sugar became very elevated, and whenever I stood up, I felt dizzy and nauseated. I felt chest pressure and had headaches."

• NYC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Prazosin and me were not a good match. Worsened insomnia, tension headache, mouth pain (?!?!), metallic taste in mouth, and more."

• Jol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Took my first dose last night. Woke with a terrible sinus headache. Weird dreams as well."