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Wang Y, Wilson DL, Fernandes D, Adkins LE, Bantad A, Copacia C, Dharma N, Huang PL, Joseph A, Park TW, Budd J, Meenrajan S, Orlando FA, Pennington J, Schmidt S, Shorr R, Uphold CR, Lo-Ciganic WH. Deprescribing Strategies for Opioids and Benzodiazepines with Emphasis on Concurrent Use: A Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051788. [PMID: 36902574 PMCID: PMC10002935 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
While the Food and Drug Administration's black-box warnings caution against concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine (OPI-BZD) use, there is little guidance on how to deprescribe these medications. This scoping review analyzes the available opioid and/or benzodiazepine deprescribing strategies from the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases (01/1995-08/2020) and the gray literature. We identified 39 original research studies (opioids: n = 5, benzodiazepines: n = 31, concurrent use: n = 3) and 26 guidelines (opioids: n = 16, benzodiazepines: n = 11, concurrent use: n = 0). Among the three studies deprescribing concurrent use (success rates of 21-100%), two evaluated a 3-week rehabilitation program, and one assessed a 24-week primary care intervention for veterans. Initial opioid dose deprescribing rates ranged from (1) 10-20%/weekday followed by 2.5-10%/weekday over three weeks to (2) 10-25%/1-4 weeks. Initial benzodiazepine dose deprescribing rates ranged from (1) patient-specific reductions over three weeks to (2) 50% dose reduction for 2-4 weeks, followed by 2-8 weeks of dose maintenance and then a 25% reduction biweekly. Among the 26 guidelines identified, 22 highlighted the risks of co-prescribing OPI-BZD, and 4 provided conflicting recommendations on the OPI-BZD deprescribing sequence. Thirty-five states' websites provided resources for opioid deprescription and three states' websites had benzodiazepine deprescribing recommendations. Further studies are needed to better guide OPI-BZD deprescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanning Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Health Outcome and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Debbie L. Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Deanna Fernandes
- North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Lauren E. Adkins
- Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ashley Bantad
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Clint Copacia
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nilay Dharma
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Pei-Lin Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Amanda Joseph
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Tae Woo Park
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey Budd
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Senthil Meenrajan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Frank A. Orlando
- Department of Community Heath and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - John Pennington
- Department of Community Heath and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Siegfried Schmidt
- Department of Community Heath and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Ronald Shorr
- North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions & College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Constance R. Uphold
- North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Correspondence:
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Baldwin DS. Clinical management of withdrawal from benzodiazepine anxiolytic and hypnotic medications. Addiction 2022; 117:1472-1482. [PMID: 34542216 DOI: 10.1111/add.15695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines continue to be prescribed widely in the management of patients with insomnia or anxiety disorders, despite the availability and acceptability of alternative pharmacological and psychological treatments. Many patients will experience adverse effects during treatment and considerable distress when the dosage is reduced and stopped. Management of benzodiazepine withdrawal includes measures to prevent the development of dependence, careful attention to underlying medical conditions, medication consolidation and gradual dosage reduction, accompanying psychological interventions, occasional prescription of concomitant medication, and relapse prevention with on-going support to address psychosocial stressors. There are needs for easier patient access to services with refined expertise and for further research to optimise strategies for preventing dependence and facilitating withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,University Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Mood and Anxiety Disorders Service, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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Freynhagen R, Backonja M, Schug S, Lyndon G, Parsons B, Watt S, Behar R. Pregabalin for the Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: A Comprehensive Review. CNS Drugs 2016; 30:1191-1200. [PMID: 27848217 PMCID: PMC5124051 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-016-0390-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Treatments for physical dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms following the abrupt discontinuation of prescription drugs (such as opioids and benzodiazepines), nicotine, alcohol, and cannabinoids are available, but there is still a need for new and more effective therapies. This review examines evidence supporting the potential use of pregabalin, an α2δ voltage-gated calcium channel subunit ligand, for the treatment of physical dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms. A literature search of the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases up to and including 11 December 2015 was conducted. The search term used was '(dependence OR withdrawal) AND pregabalin'. No other date limits were set and no language restrictions were applied. Works cited in identified articles were cross-referenced and personal archives of references also searched. Articles were included based on the expert opinions of the authors. There is limited evidence supporting the role of pregabalin for the treatment of physical dependence and accompanying withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids, benzodiazepines, nicotine, cannabinoids, and alcohol, although data from randomized controlled studies are sparse. However, the current evidence is promising and provides a platform for future studies, including appropriate randomized, placebo- and/or comparator-controlled studies, to further explore the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms. Given the potential for pregabalin misuse or abuse, particularly in individuals with a previous history of substance abuse, clinicians should exercise caution when using pregabalin in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Freynhagen
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Schmerzmedizin and Palliativmedizin, Benedictus Krankenhaus, Tutzing and Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Miroslav Backonja
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- WorldWide Clinical Trials, Morrisville, NC, USA
| | - Stephan Schug
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
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Baldwin DS, den Boer JA, Lyndon G, Emir B, Schweizer E, Haswell H. Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in generalised anxiety disorder: A critical review of the literature. J Psychopharmacol 2015; 29:1047-60. [PMID: 26259772 DOI: 10.1177/0269881115598411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to summarise the literature on the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Of 241 literature citations, 13 clinical trials were identified that were specifically designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in GAD, including 11 randomised double-blind trials and two open-label studies. Pregabalin efficacy has been consistently demonstrated across the licensed dose range of 150-600 mg/day. Efficacy has been reported for pregabalin monotherapy in elderly patients with GAD, patients with severe anxiety, and for adjunctive therapy when added to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor in patients who have failed to respond to an initial course of antidepressant therapy. The two most common adverse events with pregabalin are somnolence and dizziness, both of which appear to be dose-related. Pregabalin appears to have a low potential for causing withdrawal symptoms when long-term therapy is discontinued; however, tapering over the course of at least one week is recommended. A review of available evidence indicates that pregabalin is a well-tolerated and consistently effective treatment for GAD, with a unique mechanism of action that makes it a useful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Johan A den Boer
- PRA Health Sciences, AE Zuidlaren, the Netherlands Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Janhsen K, Roser P, Hoffmann K. The problems of long-term treatment with benzodiazepines and related substances. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 112:1-7. [PMID: 25613443 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2015.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepine abuse and dependence have been recognized and widely discussed for more than 40 years. With more than 230 million daily doses prescribed in Germany per year, the burden of reimbursement on the statutory health insurance carriers is high, albeit with a slight decline from year to year. At present, about 50% of all prescriptions in Germany are issued privately, even for patients who have statutory health insurance. METHODS We selectively review the literature on the epidemiology and treatment of benzodiazepine dependence and abuse in Germany. RESULTS Estimates of the number of benzodiazepine-dependent persons in Germany range from 128 000 to 1.6 million. Most estimates take no account of the large number of private prescriptions (i.e., those that are not reimbursed by the statutory health insurance scheme), while many exclude prescriptions for elderly persons, for whom these drugs are frequently prescribed. For the outpatient treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal, it is recommended that the drug should first be switched to an equivalent dose of another benzodiazepine with an intermediate or long-acting effect; the dose should then, in general, be reduced weekly. In case of consumption of a high dose (≥ 20 mg diazepam equivalent), hospitalization and the additional administration of carbamazepine or valproic acid are recommended. Flumazenil treatment can improve with - drawal symptoms and leads to higher abstinence rates. Antidepressants should be given only if the patient is depressed. The dependence potential of nonbenzodiazepine drugs such as zolpidem and zopiclon must also be borne in mind. CONCLUSION Benzodiazepines are generally highly effective when first given, but they should generally be given only for strict indications and for a limited time. If these drugs still need to be given beyond the short term, timely referral to a specialist is indicated, and possibly also contact with the addiction aid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Janhsen
- LWL-Klinik Bochum, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatic and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Health (Department of Medicine), Witten/Herdecke University
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Ruiz MA, Álvarez E, Carrasco JL, Olivares JM, Pérez M, Rejas J. Modeling the longitudinal latent effect of pregabalin on self-reported changes in sleep disturbances in outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder managed in routine clinical practice. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2015; 9:4329-40. [PMID: 26273194 PMCID: PMC4532214 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s88238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses, with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) being one of the most common. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in GAD patients. While treatment with pregabalin has been found to be associated with significant improvement in GAD-related sleep disturbance across many controlled clinical trials, mediational analysis has suggested that a substantial portion of this effect could be the result of a direct effect of pregabalin. Thus, the objective of this study was to model the longitudinal latent effect of pregabalin or usual care (UC) therapies on changes in sleep in outpatients with GAD under routine clinical practice. Methods Male and female GAD outpatients, aged 18 years or above, from a 6-month prospective noninterventional trial were analyzed. Direct and indirect effects of either pregabalin or UC changes in anxiety symptoms (assessed with Hamilton Anxiety Scale) and sleep disturbances (assessed with Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale [MOS-S]) were estimated by a conditional latent curve model applying structural equation modeling. Results A total of 1,546 pregabalin-naïve patients were analyzed, 984 receiving pregabalin and 562 UC. Both symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbances were significantly improved in both groups, with higher mean (95% confidence interval) score reductions in subjects receiving pregabalin: −15.9 (−15.2; −16.6) vs −14.5 (−13.5; −15.5), P=0.027, in Hamilton Anxiety Scale; and −29.7 (−28.1; −31.3) vs −24.0 (−21.6; −26.4), P<0.001, in MOS-S. The conditional latent curve model showed that the pregabalin effect on sleep disturbances was significant (γ =−3.99, P<0.001), after discounting the effect on reduction in anxiety symptoms. A mediation model showed that 70% of the direct effect of pregabalin on sleep remained after discounting the mediated effect of anxiety improvement. Conclusion A substantial proportion of the incremental improvements in anxiety-related sleep disturbances with pregabalin vs UC were explained by its direct effect, not mediated by improvements in anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Ruiz
- Department of Methodology, School of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Álvarez
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i San Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose L Carrasco
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Olivares
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Meixoeiro, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Vigo, Spain
| | - María Pérez
- Medical Department, Pfizer, S.L.U., Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Rejas
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research Department, Pfizer, S.L.U., Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
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Cho YW, Song ML. Effects of pregabalin in patients with hypnotic-dependent insomnia. J Clin Sleep Med 2015; 10:545-50. [PMID: 24812540 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.3708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Long-term use of hypnotics runs the risk of dependency, and subjects usually experience difficulties in withdrawal. The objective of this study was to investigate the success of withdrawal using pregabalin and its efficacy on sleep in patients with hypnotic-dependent insomnia. METHODS We enrolled patients with hypnotic-dependent insomnia who were 18 years or older. The starting dosage of pregabalin was 75 mg/day and was increased up to as much as 300 mg/day, depending on the individual patient's condition, while tapering off hypnotics. After 4 weeks of titration, the final dosage amount was maintained for at least another 4 weeks. Sleep and clinical variables were evaluated at baseline and after treatment, using the Korean versions of various sleep questionnaires as well as polysomnography. RESULTS Forty subjects were enrolled, with a mean age of 52.0 ± 8.5 years, of whom 28 (70.0%) were women. Twenty-one (52.5%) subjects successfully withdrew from hypnotics. The duration of withdrawal was 42.1 ± 16.0 days (range: 27.0∼84.0). The mean pregabalin dose was 121.4 ± 69.0 mg/day (range: 75.0∼300.0). After pregabalin treatment, there was a significant improvement in the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (15.0 ± 2.1, 8.9 ± 3.0, p < 0.001), and insomnia severity index (20.9 ± 4.3, 9.6 ± 4.4, p < 0.001); however, most of the sleep variables of the PSG showed no differences. The main adverse effects of pregabalin were nausea and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed pregabalin may be a promising candidate for withdrawal from hypnotics and improved sleep in patients with hypnotic-dependent insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youg Won Cho
- Department of Neurology, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Mei Ling Song
- Graduate School of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea
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Roth T, Arnold LM, Garcia-Borreguero D, Resnick M, Clair AG. A review of the effects of pregabalin on sleep disturbance across multiple clinical conditions. Sleep Med Rev 2014; 18:261-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Baird CRW, Fox P, Colvin LA. Gabapentinoid abuse in order to potentiate the effect of methadone: a survey among substance misusers. Eur Addict Res 2014; 20:115-8. [PMID: 24192603 DOI: 10.1159/000355268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS There is emerging evidence of gabapentin and pregabalin (gabapentinoid) abuse, particularly in the substance misuse population, and some suggestion of gabapentinoids being abused alongside methadone. METHODS A questionnaire-based survey was carried out in six substance misuse clinics, looking for evidence of gabapentinoid abuse. RESULTS 22% (29/129) of respondents admitted to abusing gabapentinoids, and of these, 38% (11/29) abused gabapentinoids in order to potentiate the 'high' they obtained from methadone. CONCLUSIONS Gabapentinoid abuse along with methadone has not previously been described. These findings are of relevance to clinicians working within both substance misuse services and chronic pain services.
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Oulis P, Konstantakopoulos G. Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in the treatment of alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2012; 21:1019-29. [PMID: 22568872 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2012.685651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Both alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence (AD, BD) are severe and chronic conditions with devastating physical and mental health effects. The relative scarcity and controversial evidential status of available pharmacological interventions for the treatment of patients' acute withdrawal syndrome and/or relapse prevention call for the clinical investigation of novel safe and efficacious agents. AREAS COVERED We review published studies of pregabalin as monotherapy in the treatment of AD and BD in more than 450 patients. Available evidence includes four RCTs, two in AD with active comparator drugs (naltrexone, tiapride, and lorazepam) and one placebo-controlled, and one placebo-controlled in BD. We also review other available studies on pregabalin's potential to reduce benzodiazepine consumption, its side effects, especially cognitive, as well as extant reports on its liability for abuse. EXPERT OPINION Available evidence suggests that monotherapy with pregabalin, within the dosage range of 150 - 600 mg/d, is a promising "novel" option for the safe and efficacious relapse prevention of both AD and BD. However, its efficacy as monotherapy in the acute treatment of AD withdrawal syndrome is still controversial. Clinicians should be cautious in prescribing pregabalin to patients with a history of multiple substance recreational use, and monitor its effects on cognition at dosages above 450 mg/d. Further, well-designed clinical research is still needed for the eventual consolidation of pregabalin's place in the treatment of AD and BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Oulis
- University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, First Department of Psychiatry, 72-74 Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11528, Athens, Greece.
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Förg A, Hein J, Volkmar K, Winter M, Richter C, Heinz A, Müller CA. Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Alcohol Alcohol 2012; 47:149-55. [PMID: 22215002 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agr153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The objective of this study was to collect preliminary data on the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in attenuating the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms during detoxification treatment in alcohol dependence. METHODS Forty-two alcohol-dependent patients with an alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) were included in the prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial during inpatient alcohol detoxification. For 6 days, participants either received pregabalin or placebo according to a fixed dose schedule starting with 300 mg/day. Depending on the score of the AWS Scale (AWSS), diazepam was additionally administered as a rescue medication. The primary endpoint was the total amount of diazepam required from Day 2 to 6 of detoxification treatment in each of the two groups. Secondary outcome variables were the difference in AWSS and Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) scores between Day 2 and 6, tolerability and safety data, drop-out rates as well as changes in the neuropsychological scales. RESULTS Pregabalin and placebo were equally safe and well tolerated. However, no statistically significant difference was found comparing the total amount of additional diazepam medication required in the two study groups. Pregabalin and placebo also showed similar efficacy according to alterations of scores of the AWSS, CIWA-Ar and neuropsychological scales. The frequency of adverse events and drop-outs did not differ between the both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates the relative safety of pregabalin in the treatment of AWS. However, the results do not provide evidence in favor of pregabalin compared with placebo concerning its efficacy in the treatment of AWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Förg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
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