The Use of Furosemide in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a maladaptive and debilitating anxiety disorder which may affect up to 40% of individuals over lifetime exposure to traumatic event. The aim of this case-report is to highlight the use of furosemide, alone or in combination, in PTSD associated with sexual assault. Low-dose furosemide (20-40mg) daily, attenuated the symptoms of PTSD, diagnosed in a young female patient with the familyphysician- administered short screening scale. It ameliorated the symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance/ numbing and hyper-arousal when combined with the  β-blocker, propranolol, or when administered independent of propranolol. The effect of furosemide in PTSD may be due to its enhancement of noradrenergic signalling, long-term potentiation and inhibition of learning thus improving the extinction of retrieved fear memories and the reduction of fear memory re-consolidation. The safety profile of furosemide, and low cost, warrants its being further explored in PTSD, a disease with no specific remedy at present.

Keywords: Post-traumatic stress disorder, furosemide, noradrenergic signalling, fear extinction, anxiety disorder