title: Possible drug-drug interaction between pregabalin and clozapine in patients with schizophrenia: clinical perspectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregabalin is an antiepileptic drug with anti-anxiety properties and is approved for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety is common in patients with schizophrenia and pregabalin has been suggested as an off-label add-on treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregabalin was added to clozapine in 2 patients with schizophrenia, who both suffered from severe anxiety symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients experienced falls and consequently bone fractures. Increased plasma levels of clozapine likely contributed to the outcome. One patient had confirmed seizures whereas the mechanism in the other patient was less clear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This short report discusses the possible mechanism of a pregabalin-clozapine interaction.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schjerning
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lykkegaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry & Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damkier
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069583:Pregabalin; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D003024:Clozapine