Table 2.
Summary of medication trials for PTSD-SUD
Authors | Sample | n | Active group (s) | Control group | Main findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alderman et al. [63] | Male combat veterans | 43 | Topiramate | None | - Significant reduction in PTSD symptoms |
- No reduction in drinking behavior | |||||
Brady et al. [61] | Individuals recruited through the community and outpatient SUD treatment | 94 | Sertraline | Placebo | - No significant group differences in alcohol consumption or PTSD symptoms |
Petrakis et al. [62] | Veterans attending outpatient VA clinics | 93 | (1) Naltrexone + placebo | Placebo | - Active conditions related to equal improvements in SUD outcomes (fewer drinking days, longer abstinence) |
(2) Disulfiram + placebo | - Active conditions related to improvements in PTSD symptoms | ||||
(3) Naltrexone + disulfiram | - Disulfiram and naltrexone less effective for PTSD when administered in combination with one another | ||||
Petrakis et al. [64] | Primarily male veterans | 88 | (1) Paroxetine + naltrexone | No inactive control condition | - Paroxetine and desipramine related to equivalent reductions in PTSD symptoms |
(2) Paroxetine + placebo | - Desipramine related to fewer heavy drinking days | ||||
(3) Desipramine + naltrexone | - No effect observed for naltrexone | ||||
(4) Desipramine + placebo |