RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prazosin for nightmares in serious illness
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e113
OP e114
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002594
VO 13
IS e1
A1 Wil Santivasi
A1 Erin Taylor
A1 April Christensen
A1 Jacob Strand
YR 2023
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/13/e1/e113.abstract
AB Nightmares can be a distressing symptom in patients living with serious illness. Prazosin, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been suggested to treat nightmares, with most data supporting its use in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We present the case of a 60-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer who experienced healthcare-associated nightmares following hospitalisation. She did not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Atypical antipsychotics and benzodiazepines were ineffective in controlling her nightmares, resulting in referral to our outpatient palliative medicine clinic. Prazosin was initiated alongside interdisciplinary psychosocial support, resulting in rapid resolution of her nightmares. To our knowledge, this is the first case to report on use of prazosin to manage nightmares in the outpatient palliative medicine setting.