New Drug Offers Hope for PTSD Relief After 20 Years

New Drug Offers Hope for PTSD Relief After 20 Years
Spread the love

After more than two decades, a promising new PTSD treatment is on the horizon. A drug combining brexpiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic, and sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has shown significant improvements in relieving posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

In a phase 3 clinical trial involving 416 adults with PTSD, the combination therapy reduced symptoms by 19.2 points on a diagnostic scale compared to 13.6 points for those receiving sertraline and a placebo. Dr. Lori L. Davis, the lead investigator, highlighted the drug’s effectiveness in not just alleviating symptoms but also improving patients’ daily lives. “It’s clinically meaningful when PTSD symptom relief is paired with better functional outcomes,” she said.

This new PTSD treatment is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a decision expected by February 2025. If approved, it will be the first new medication for PTSD in over 20 years, addressing a critical need for improved therapies.

Currently, only two medications—sertraline and paroxetine—are FDA-approved for PTSD, but they often leave patients with unresolved symptoms. Experts believe this new drug could bridge the “effectiveness gap,” providing better symptom relief and reducing risks like distress and suicide.

The study also found that the combination therapy was well-tolerated, with minor side effects like nausea, fatigue, and slight weight gain. However, long-term studies are still required to confirm its safety and effectiveness over time.

This development marks a significant step forward in PTSD treatment, offering hope to millions of patients seeking more effective relief and a better quality of life.


Spread the love

Leave a Reply

  • Scrolling Social Media Puts Us In Dissociative State: Study Claims

    Researchers at the University of Washington showed how people dissociate…

  • Same-Sex Parents Too Have Well-Adjusted Children, Study Reveals

    Researchers at the University of Cologne studied child-rearing in same-sex…

  • Sleep Deprivation Makes Us Interpret Facial Expressions More Negatively

    Researchers explored the link between sleep loss and social withdrawal.

  • Brain Tumor And Depression Are Linked, Research Reveals

    Recent studies explore the link between brain tumors and depression.

  • Too Much Self-Confidence Can Affect Our Health, New Study Claims

    Researchers studied the link between overconfident health assessments, doctor visits,…

  • Can Weather Affect Mental Health? Science Says Yes

    Researchers at WHO confirm the link between climate change and…

  • ‘Hookup Culture’ Is Not The Norm In Real College Life, Research Finds

    Researchers provided insight into early relationship development in hookup culture.

  • Compared To Men, Women Have A Better Sense Of Taste And Smell: Study

    Compared To Men, Women Have A Better Sense Of Taste And Smell: Study

    Researchers at Yale University found that women have a better…

  • Racial Prejudice Worsens Health Outcomes, Study Claims

    Researchers examined the link between racial prejudice and community health…

  • Men And Women Dream Very Differently, Study Reveals

    Dr. Jennie Parker, of the University of the West of…

  • Rising Concerns For Student Athletes’ Mental Health

    Experts recommend ways to better student-athletes mental health crises in…

  • Study Reveals How Our Brain Responds To Surprising Events

    Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) revealed how…

  • The Link Between Mental Health And Gun Violence

    Experts provide insight into how mental health and gun violence…

  • Ruby Barker, Of Netflix’s Bridgerton Fame, Opens Up About Her Trauma And Mental Health Struggles

    Ruby Barker, the Netflix star hospitalized for mental health issues,…

  • You Can “Steer” Your Dark Triad Personality Towards Agreeableness, Study Finds

    Researchers explored ways to reduce Dark Triad personality traits.

  • Men Make More Extreme Choices In Life Than Women, Study Finds

    Researchers at Princeton University examined how gender differences in life…

  • Couples With Joint Bank Accounts Last Longer, Study Finds

    Researchers at Cornell University studied the link between joint finances…

  • Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Case: Spotlight On Rare Personality Disorders

    Understanding Amber Heard’s mental health diagnosis of two personality disorders…

  • London Cab Drivers Have Bigger Brains, Study Reveals

    Researchers at University College London, the UK, revealed how British…

  • Heard vs. Depp Trial: Role Of Mental Health In Intimate Relationships

    Experts opine how the recent Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard…

  • Social Curiosity Fuels Gossip, Study Finds

    German researchers showed how social curiosity fuels gossip.

  • Herschel Walker’s Mental Health Battle With Dissociative Identity Disorder

    How American footballer Herschel Walker battled DID and wrote a…

  • What Natalia Dyer’s “Anorexia” Can Teach Us About Eating Disorders And Body Shaming

    Experts opine how “body speculations” betray the truth about eating…

  • Selma Blair’s Memoir Highlights How Multiple Sclerosis Impacts Our Physical And Mental Health

    How Hollywood actress Selma Blair reignited the conversation around multiple…

  • Why Do Older People Dream In Black And White?

    A team of American researchers explored why our dreams have…

  • Men And Women Have Different Friendship Preferences, Study Finds

    American researchers explored the differences between male and female friendships.

  • Loneliness And Depression Are Linked In Older Adults, Study Finds

    Researchers at Massey University, New Zealand, study the link between…