Course Summary

Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, is primarily indicated for the treatment of hypertension by blocking excessive norepinephrine responsiveness at postsynaptic α1 receptors, leading to vasodilation and blood pressure reduction. Off-label, it is widely used for managing nightmares and sleep disturbances associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Raynaud’s phenomenon, and migraine prophylaxis. Proper dosing begins low at bedtime and is increased slowly to minimize side effects, e.g., dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. Patient education on potential benefits and risks and close monitoring are essential to optimize treatment outcomes and ensure safety across its labeled and off-label uses.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Pharmacological Profile
  • Mechanism of Action
• Indications, Dosing, and Administration
  • FDA Approved
  • Off-Label Uses
  • Hepatic and Renal Impairment: Dosing Adjustments
  • Geriatric Patients: Dosing Adjustments
• Clinical Applications
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Precautions, Contraindications, and Adverse Effects
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
  • Drug-Drug Interactions
• Monitoring Parameters
  • Blood Pressure and Orthostatic Hypotension
  • PTSD-Related Indications
  • Liver and Renal Function
  • Adverse Effects
  • Surgical Considerations
• Toxicity
• Interprofessional Health Team Collaboration
• Clinical Pearls
• Case Study: Prazosin Treatment For PTSD
• Summary

Authors

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.

Elisabeth Gordon, BScPharm, RPh

Elisabeth Gordon earned her BSc(Pharm) from the University of British Columbia in 2004. After graduation, she worked in community retail pharmacies on Vancouver Island, before returning to her rural hometown of Salmon Arm. In 2016 and 2017, Elisabeth trained with Pallium Canada and Victoria Hospice to enhance her knowledge of end-of-life-care and palliative services. She is a volunteer medical supervisor for T1DOutreach, a peer support platform for adults living with type 1 diabetes, and a member of a Canadian peer support group for adults living with Birdshot Uveitis. Elisabeth enjoys working in a small, fast-paced rural pharmacy where she brings compassion and empathy to her everyday practice.