Korean J Psychopharmacol.
2008 May;19(3):136-146.
Pharmacotherapy of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Pregabalin
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. alberto@catholic.ac.kr
Abstract
- Multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have explored the efficacy of pregabalin for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and this novel drug was recently approved in Europe. Short-term efficacy of pregabalin as a treatment modality for GAD is well supported by the positive results of several placebocontrolled studies, and most studies confirmed that pregabalin is superior to placebo and comparable with lorazepam, alprazolam and venlafaxine for the treatment of patients with GAD. Especially, pregabalin has a rapid speed of onset combined with equal efficacy in treating both psychic and somatic symptoms of GAD. Additionally, pregabalin has demonstrated potential for the prevention of relapses of GAD. Efficacy in the elderly patients was also shown in a separate placebo-controlled study. Pregabalin has a favorable safety and tolerability profiles relative to benzodiazepines and has minimal potential for drug-drug interactions, abuse and dependence. In the future, research should target further elucidating the efficacy of pregabalin for GAD in relapse prevention, longterm treatment and special populations. Additional studies are needed to guide clinicians in practical issues of how best to use pregabalin as a newer option for the pharmacotherapy of GAD.
