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Medications for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Other names: C-PTSD; Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; PSTD; PTSD

Development of characteristic symptoms following a psychologically traumatic event that is generally outside the range of usual human experience; symptoms include numbed responsiveness to environmental stimuli, a variety of autonomic and cognitive dysfunctions, and dysphoria.

Drugs used to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
prazosin Off-label 7.0 126 reviews for prazosin to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
prazosin systemic
Drug class:
antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Zoloft 6.8 106 reviews for Zoloft to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
sertraline systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
sertraline 7.0 178 reviews for sertraline to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
sertraline systemic
Brand name:
Zoloft
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
lamotrigine Off-label 8.9 49 reviews for lamotrigine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
lamotrigine systemic
Drug class:
triazine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
quetiapine Off-label 7.8 72 reviews for quetiapine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
quetiapine systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
mirtazapine Off-label 7.0 66 reviews for mirtazapine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
mirtazapine systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
amitriptyline Off-label 8.1 15 reviews for amitriptyline to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
amitriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
venlafaxine Off-label 6.5 33 reviews for venlafaxine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
paroxetine 6.9 45 reviews for paroxetine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx D N X
Generic name:
paroxetine systemic
Brand name:
Paxil
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
aripiprazole Off-label 7.1 16 reviews for aripiprazole to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
aripiprazole systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
desvenlafaxine Off-label 8.8 27 reviews for desvenlafaxine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
desvenlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Paxil 6.3 29 reviews for Paxil to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx D N X
Generic name:
paroxetine systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
risperidone Off-label 6.6 31 reviews for risperidone to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
risperidone systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
dronabinol Off-label 8.9 14 reviews for dronabinol to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C M X
Generic name:
dronabinol systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
asenapine Off-label 8.6 19 reviews for asenapine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
asenapine systemic
Drug class:
atypical antipsychotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
fluvoxamine Off-label 6.9 13 reviews for fluvoxamine to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rx C N X
Generic name:
fluvoxamine systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Learn more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.