Prior research suggests that
SSRIs may have greater efficacy for psychic compared to somatic anxiety, while
benzodiazepines show greater somatic efficacy. The goal of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of
pregabalin (
PGB) in treating psychic and
somatic symptoms of anxiety. Data were combined from six short-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose trials of
PGB in patients with generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD). The following
PGB daily dose groups were studied: 150 mg (n=210), 300-450 mg (n=455), and 600 mg (n=406),
benzodiazepines (6 mg/d
lorazepam and 1.5 mg/d
alprazolam, n=299), vs. placebo (n=484). Changes in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) psychic and somatic anxiety factors and individual items were analysed. Treatment with 300-600 mg
PGB significantly improved both the HAMA psychic and somatic anxiety factors. In contrast, treatment with 150 mg
PGB appeared to be less effective, achieving significance only on the psychic anxiety factor.
PGB (300-450 mg) was associated with significant improvement on 13 out of 14 HAMA items, while treatment with 600 mg
PGB was associated with significant improvement in 10 out of 14 HAMA items. Treatment with
benzodiazepines was also associated with significant improvement in both psychic and somatic anxiety factors, with significant improvement occurring in 5 out of 14 HAMA items. The results of this pooled analysis indicate that both
PGB and
benzodiazepines had significant efficacy in treating both HAMA psychic and somatic anxiety. A dose-response effect was evident for
PGB that reached a plateau at a dose of 300 mg/d.