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Pregabalin: a guide to its use in fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and generalized anxiety disorder

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Abstract

Pregabalin has a multidimensional effect across a range of disorders that have of a pathogenesis involving a CNS response of abnormal hyperexcitability. The high-affinity binding of pregabalin at α2δ proteins and the subsequent reduction in excessive release of several excitatory neurotransmitters appears to be responsible for the clinical benefits of pregabalin in treating fibromyalgia, neurological pain and generalized anxiety disorder. The use of pregabalin in these complex and difficult-to-treat conditions is associated with rapid and durable clinically significant improvements in several outcome measures relating to core symptoms, including pain, anxiety and sleep, and improvements in overall health status and health-related quality-of-life. The most common adverse events associated with the drug are dizziness and somnolence, which are generally mild to moderate in intensity and are tolerated by many patients.

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Acknowledgments

The manuscript was reviewed by: C.P. Alderman, Repatriation General Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia, M. Hahn, Vitos Rheingau, Eltville, Germany.

Disclosure

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, a manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from comments received were made by the authors on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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    Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson

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Correspondence to Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson.

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Lyseng-Williamson, K.A. Pregabalin: a guide to its use in fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and generalized anxiety disorder. Drugs Ther Perspect 30, 75–84 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-014-0107-7

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