Getting Help > Clinical Trials > Massachusetts

Eszopiclone for Sleep Disturbance and Nightmares in PTSD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston

Principal Investigator: Mark H. Pollack, MD

Description of Study: This is a 9-week research study in which subjects will receive both eszopiclone and placebo (a pill that contains no medicine) at different points in the study. The purpose of the study is to find out if eszopiclone (Lunesta) is safe and effective for people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related sleep disturbance. Subjects will receive either eszopiclone or placebo for 3 weeks.  After the 3-week period, subjects will not take any study medication (a “washout” period to let the study medication leave the body) for 1 week. They will then take the other study medication that they did not receive during the first 3-week period. For example, if they received eszopiclone during the first 3-week period, they will take placebo during the second 3-week period. The last 3-week period will be followed by another 1-week washout period.

Eligibility Criteria:
Subjects will be male or female outpatients, ages 18-64, with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. Pregnant or lactating women or those able to become pregnant not using medically accepted forms of birth control cannot take part in the research study. Participants may not have a history of seizures. In addition, subjects with severe and/or uncontrolled medical problems as well as those who are taking psychiatric medications, other than a stable dose of antidepressants, are excluded.

Contact: Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders, 1-866-44-WORRY