One of the best coping items we have is obviously medication. The most common medication group prescribed for PTSD is SSRIs(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs(serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These two type of drugs account for four approved drugs for PTSD.
- Zoloft (Sertraline)
- Paxil (Paroxetine)
- Prozac (Fluoxetine)
- Effexor (Venlafaxine)
These four account for all of the approved on-label PTSD prescriptions. Not exactly a deep medicine cabinet. So the many people are also given other medications that are off-label PTSD meds. The thing to remember is that while there is some evidence to support the use of many of these drugs, they are not "Clinically" proven to have an effect.
Most off-label use drugs that are used for PTSD will be to treat a single symptom. One of the most popular is Prazosin. Prazosin is for high blood pressure, in PTSD it is given for night terrors. It works for most, about 60-70 percent.
Practically every anti-depression drug is used off-label for PTSD, sometimes even several are combined in low doses. Another class of drugs that is used to treat depression in PTSD is antipsychotics. This includes Seroquel (Quetiapine), Risperdal (Risperidone), and Zyprexa (Olanzapine) among others.
One of the more interesting drugs currently being evaluated for use with PTSD is Topamax (Topiramate). It is an anti-seizure medication. However, some studies show an improvement across the board in PTSD.
In terms of cutting edge research, Magic Mushrooms and MDMA have both been showing great promise in treatment of PTSD. These studies are very early on, but very promising. Some have even gone as far as to call them a cure. Personally I don't like the word cure for PTSD.
So now that you know about the medications that are used, if you are struggling and are not medicated, please talk to your doctor about getting on some medication. I can tell you from personal experience, it make a big difference in how you feel.