title: [Dual diagnosis in anxiety disorders: pharmacologic treatment recommendations].
abstract: Anxiety disorders and substance use disorders are highly comorbid (between 18% and 37%), and such comorbidity complicates treatment and worsens prognosis (including higher suicide risk). There are not many research works on the specific pharmacologic treatment of dual comorbid anxiety disorders. Most authors recommend a simultaneous approach of both, anxiety and substance use, disorders. Research data on pharmacotherapy suggest that psychotropics used in the treatment of anxiety disorders are also effective in dual diagnosis. SSRIs are considered first-line therapy in the treatment of dual anxiety while benzodiacepines should be avoided. New generation antiepileptic have shown efficacy in case series and open label studies in the latest years, thus being a promising treatment option for dual comorbid anxiety disorders, specially pregabalin in generalized anxiety disorder.
authors.forename: Pilar Alejandra
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sáiz Martínez
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jimenez Treviño
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Díaz Mesa
authors.forename: M Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: García-Portilla González
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marina González
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Halabí
authors.forename: Néstor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Szerman
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bobes García
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*