title: Evidence-based pharmacotherapy of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
abstract: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common and often disabling disorder. This paper reviews the pharmacological treatment of GAD, based on the findings of published meta-analyses and randomized placebo-controlled studies. In doing so, it aims to address three fundamental questions: What is the first-line treatment for GAD? How long should treatment continue? What is the best intervention in patients who do not respond to first-line and second-line treatments? Due to their efficacy in GAD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders, their tolerability and safety, certain selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline) should be considered the first-line treatment for most patients, although the serotonin-noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor venlafaxine is a reasonable alternative. Little is known about the optimal length of therapy after response to acute treatment but relapse-prevention studies with paroxetine suggest that continuation treatment should last for at least 6 months. The management of patients who do not respond to first-line treatment is uncertain, but some patients may benefit from certain tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, or pregabalin.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurosciences Division, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. dsb1@soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Polkinghorn
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents