Centrally acting anticholinergic drug trihexyphenidyl is highly effective in reducing nightmares associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

INTRODUCTION

Following a case study on scopolamine butyl bromide, an anticholinergic drug, we studied the effect of a central anticholinergic drug on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related flashbacks and nightmares.

METHODS

We administered trihexyphenidyl (TP) to 34 patients with refractory PTSD-related nightmares and flashbacks (open-label trial [n = 22]; single-blind trial [n = 12]), who had previously received psychiatric treatment for approximately 2-15 years, without therapeutic benefits. The effect of TP was determined using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R).

RESULTS

Overall, most patients reported an improvement to none or mild on the CAPS for nightmares (88%) and flashbacks (79%).

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to demonstrate the potential efficacy of TP in the treatment of refractory PTSD-related nightmares and flashbacks. Further double-blind, randomized control trials are needed to explore the potential clinical benefits of TP in PTSD.