Lorazepam for PTSD

This trial tests lorazepam, a medication that may help treat PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) in Veterans experiencing high levels of anxious arousal. Researchers aim to determine if lorazepam can identify Veterans who might benefit from this treatment by enhancing GABA, a brain chemical that calms the nervous system. Participants will take lorazepam and a placebo (a fake pill) in two different sessions to compare effects. Veterans with PTSD who often feel anxious and meet specific health criteria might be suitable for this study. As a Phase 4 trial, lorazepam is already FDA-approved and proven effective, and this research seeks to understand how it benefits more patients.

You may need to stop certain medications, especially if they interact unsafely with lorazepam. However, other psychotropic medications are allowed if they are at a stable dose for at least 2 weeks and do not have unsafe interactions with the study drug.

Research has shown that lorazepam, a medication often used to treat anxiety, has mixed safety results. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that helps with anxiety by affecting a brain chemical called GABA. However, for veterans with PTSD, drugs like lorazepam may not always be safe or effective.

Some studies indicate that many people taking lorazepam experience serious side effects, including worsened PTSD symptoms and other negative effects. Due to these risks, guidelines often advise against using benzodiazepines for veterans with PTSD. The use of these medications in this group has decreased over the years due to safety concerns.

Most treatments for PTSD, like SSRIs and SNRIs, work by altering neurotransmitters in the brain over several weeks. However, lorazepam offers a potentially faster-acting alternative by targeting GABA receptors, which can quickly calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety symptoms. Researchers are excited about lorazepam because it could provide rapid relief during acute stress episodes, offering a short-term solution that supplements longer-term therapies.

Research has shown that lorazepam, a medication that boosts a brain chemical called GABA, has been considered for treating PTSD, though results are mixed. One study suggested lorazepam might help reduce intrusive thoughts, common in PTSD. However, a review of several studies found that drugs like lorazepam are generally not effective for PTSD overall, with risks often outweighing benefits. Additionally, the use of these drugs in Veterans Affairs has significantly declined over the years, reflecting doubts about their effectiveness for PTSD. Despite this, lorazepam may still provide short-term relief for certain symptoms in some people. In this trial, participants will receive lorazepam and a placebo in different sequences to evaluate its effects.²⁶⁷⁸⁹