Could a blood pressure drug ease Veterans' Post-Concussion headaches?

NCT ID NCT02266329

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether prazosin, a drug used for high blood pressure and PTSD nightmares, can reduce headaches in veterans and service members who had a mild traumatic brain injury. 89 participants received either prazosin or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers tracked headache frequency, severity, and impact on daily life to see if prazosin outperformed the placebo.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: prazosin (a blood pressure medicine also used for nightmares)
What this could lead to: If prazosin works, it could offer a new way to ease chronic headaches after mild traumatic brain injury in veterans and service members.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 89 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Prazosin can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and fainting.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COMBAT DISORDERS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Concussion combat disorder Headache headache disorder Post-Concussion Syndrome Post-Traumatic Headache traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COMBAT DISORDERS HEADACHE MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME POSTTRAUMATIC HEADACHE POSTTRAUMATIC MIGRAINE

Contacts and locations

Locations

VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

Seattle, Washington, 98108-1532, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.