Efficacy of pregabalin in depressive symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder: A pooled analysis of 6 studies

• Published in: European neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 422 - 430
• Main Authors: Stein, Dan J, Baldwin, David S, Baldinetti, Francesca, Mandel, Francine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Anxiety - drug therapy; Anxiety - epidemiology; Clinical Trials as Topic; Comorbid depressive symptoms; Depression - drug therapy; Depression - epidemiology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Efficacy; Female; GAD; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - analogs & derivatives; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - therapeutic use; Generalized anxiety disorder; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Pregabalin; Psychiatry; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sex Factors; Treatment Outcome; Efficacy; Pregabalin; GAD; Generalized anxiety disorder; Comorbid depressive symptoms
• ISSN: 0924-977X; 1873-7862
• DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.01.004

Abstract Epidemiological evidence supports comorbidity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymia, and its association with significant disability. As pregabalin, a new α2 -δ anxiolytic treatment for GAD, unlike most other licensed treatments for GAD has not undergone investigation in patients with MDD, we examined its efficacy in depressive symptoms associated with GAD, through a post-hoc analysis of the existing clinical trial database. The results provide consistent evidence that in patients with GAD pregabalin reduced associated symptoms of depression. This was seen in the 150 mg/day, 300–450 mg/day and 600 mg/day dosing groups. Even in subjects with more prominent depressive symptoms, pregabalin remained effective for both sub-syndromal depression and GAD symptoms, with pregabalin 300–450 mg/day demonstrating the most beneficial response. In conclusion, pregabalin, an alternative treatment option for GAD with a novel mechanism of action, also demonstrated efficacy in treating depressive symptoms typically encountered in GAD patients.