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Suvorexant: A Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist for Treating Sleep Disturbance in Posttraumatic Stress
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common consequence of combat that can result in trauma-related hyperarousal and sleep disturbances. Poor sleep, one of the most common complaints in Veterans with PTSD, can be distressing, impair concentration and memory, and contribute to physical health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. The orexin neuropeptide system underlies both sleep and stress reactivity. Suvorexant, a drug that reduces orexin, improves sleep in civilians, but has not yet been tested in Veterans with PTSD. This study will test whether suvorexant can improve sleep disturbances and PTSD symptoms in Veterans. Suvorexant may benefit Veterans by improving sleep quickly while also reducing PTSD symptoms over the long term, and with fewer side effects that were common in previous medications used to treat these conditions. Improving Veterans' sleep and PTSD symptoms could lead to better emotional and physical well-being, quality of life, relationships, and functioning.
Official title: Suvorexant: A Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist for Treating Sleep Disturbance inPosttraumatic Stress
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
190
Start Date
2019-08-30
Completion Date
2025-12-31
Last Updated
2025-07-18
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Suvorexant
Suvorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, is the first in a new class of drugs with great promise of addressing insomnia in Veterans with PTSD. Suvorexant targets the orexin neuropeptide system and has been shown to be highly successful in treating insomnia.
Placebo
Visibly matched, equally weighted placebo tablets. In addition to matching in appearance and weight, they will have identical packaging and labeling as randomized, blinded study medication.
Locations (4)
VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA
Long Beach, California, United States
San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, California, United States
Salisbury W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, Salisbury, NC
Salisbury, North Carolina, United States
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolina, United States