Pregabalin: in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder
by
Frampton JE, Foster RH.
Adis International Limited,
Auckland, New Zealand.
demail@adis.co.nz
CNS Drugs. 2006;20(8):685-93; discussion 694-5. Links

ABSTRACT

Pregabalin, the pharmacologically active S-enantiomer of 3-aminomethyl-5-methyl-hexanoic acid, is a structural analogue of GABA, although it is not active at GABA receptors, nor does it acutely alter GABA uptake or degradation.black triangle Pregabalin binds with high affinity to the alpha2-delta subunit protein of voltage-gated calcium channels in CNS tissues and acts as a presynaptic modulator of the excessive release, in hyperexcited neurons, of various excitatory neurotransmitters. Binding of pregabalin to the alpha2-delta subunit appears necessary for its demonstrable anxiolytic, analgesic and anticonvulsant activities in animal models.black triangle Oral pregabalin, typically at dosages of 300-600 mg/day, was superior to placebo and similar to lorazepam 6 mg/day, alprazolam 1.5 mg/day and venlafaxine 75 mg/day in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Pregabalin had a rapid onset of anxiolytic activity relative to alprazolam and venlafaxine, which was evident after 1 week. Additionally, pregabalin (initial dosage 450 mg/day) was effective for the prevention of relapse of GAD over 34 weeks. Pregabalin was well tolerated during dosage escalation to fixed dosages (maximum 600 mg/day) over 7 days. Dizziness and somnolence, usually of mild to moderate severity, were the most common adverse events.black triangle The drug was not associated with a clinically significant medication withdrawal syndrome during a 1-week taper following 4 or 6 weeks' double-blind treatment.

Phenibut
Pregabalin
Buspirone
Alprazolam
Adinazolam
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Future anxiolytics
Venlafaxine for GAD
Anxiety and depression
Subthreshold syndromes
Anxious golden hamsters
Buspirone plus venlafaxine
New anxiolytics: pregabalin
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Pregabalin (Lyrica) for anxious depressives?
Pregabalin (Lyrica): efficacy, safety and tolerability in generalized anxiety

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