Pregabalin in the discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepines' use.
OBJECTIVE
Tolerance, dependence, and adverse effects on cognitive functions are well-known consequences of long-term use of benzodiazepines (BDZ), especially at high doses, raising thorny therapeutic problems in their discontinuation. One promising pharmacological agent in BDZ discontinuation might be the newer anti-epileptic pregabalin, already successfully tested in the treatment of anxiety disorders.


METHODS
We report on a sample of 15 patients with long-term, mostly high-dose dependence from BDZ, treated with pregabalin in an open-label study at doses 225-900 mg.


RESULTS
All patients discontinued successfully BDZ in 3-14 weeks, moreover with a significant reduction of their previous anxiety levels under BDZ. In addition, patients showed also a significant amelioration in their cognitive functioning. Pregabalin's side-effects were mild and transient, lasting only during the first 2 weeks of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Although preliminary, our findings suggest that pregabalin may be one new promising agent in the treatment of BDZ dependence.
Oulis
Panagiotis
P
Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Greece. oulisp@med.uoa.gr
Konstantakopoulos
George
G
Kouzoupis
Anastasios V
AV
Masdrakis
Vasilios G
VG
Karakatsanis
Nikolaos A
NA
Karapoulios
Evangelos
E
Kontoangelos
Konstantinos A
KA
Papadimitriou
George N
GN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069583:Pregabalin; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid