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Prophylaxe und Therapie der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung mit Propranolol

Evidenz und ethische Analyse

Prophylaxis and therapy of post-traumatic stress disorder with propranolol

Evidence and ethical analysis

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Zusammenfassung

Der β-Blocker Propranolol wird zunehmend in klinischen Studien eingesetzt, um als Prophylaxe das Auftreten einer posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) zu verhindern oder die psychotherapeutische Behandlung der PTBS zu verbessern. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Evidenz für dessen Wirksamkeit und den ethischen Implikationen der Erforschung dieser Behandlungsansätze. Die Effektivität eines prophylaktischen wie auch eines therapeutischen Einsatzes konnte im letzten Jahrzehnt nicht bewiesen werden. Beide Einsatzmöglichkeiten des Medikaments werfen ethische Fragen auf, die bereits bei klinischen Studien mitbedacht werden sollten.

Summary

The beta-antagonistic agent propranolol is increasingly being used in clinical trials for the prophylaxis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article discusses the evidence for the effectiveness of propranolol in the prophylaxis and treatment of PTSD and the ethical implications of research on these treatment approaches. The efficacy of a prophylactic or therapeutic use could not be shown during the last decade. Both treatment approaches raise ethical questions that should already be addressed during the clinical trials.

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Notes

  1. Siehe Fachinformation für Propranolol: http://www.fachinfo.de/data/fi/jsearch?wirkstoff (Zugriff 21.06.2013).

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Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien

Interessenkonflikt. K. Kühlmeyer und R.J. Jox geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht. Dieser Beitrag beinhaltet keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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  1. Institut für Ethik, Geschichte und Theorie der Medizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Lessingstr. 2, 80336, München, Deutschland

    K. Kühlmeyer & R.J. Jox

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  1. K. Kühlmeyer
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  2. R.J. Jox
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Correspondence to K. Kühlmeyer.

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Kühlmeyer, K., Jox, R. Prophylaxe und Therapie der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung mit Propranolol. Nervenarzt 84, 1183–1189 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-013-3735-6

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