anyone used pregabalin for GAD

Wondering why you are prescribed these 2 medications together?

Using venlafaxine together with pregabalin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. There seems to be some interaction between these two medications.  I would suggest discussing this with your Pharmacist or your Physician.

I will be waiting to hear from you.

Kindly,

Kitt

Big breath and trust that your Dr. knows what he is doing. Let me check with my pharmacist friend and see what she has to say re interaction.  Remember just because it is a possibility does not mean it will happen.  I am sorry - I did not mean to alarm you !  Be back here in a bit.

Hugs,

Kitt

Although pregabalin has not been FDA-approved for general anxiety disorder (GAD), there is evidence to support its use as mono-therapy and adjunctive therapy, and it is considered to be a first-line treatment by the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry.

Although antidepressants  effectively treat GAD, it may take 4-6 weeks for symptom relief to occur. In general, patients with GAD desire relief as soon as possible. Benzodiazepines have a rapid onset of action and work quickly to relieve physiologic symptoms of anxiety. However, benzodiazepines are not ideal drugs in most patients because of adverse effects, drug interactions, and risk for dependence and addiction.

Along comes Pregabalin  .  This drug decreases presynaptic calcium currents, thus decreasing the release of several excitatory neurotransmitters that play an important role in anxiety.

Pregabalin was found to be effective for the treatment of GAD in 8 published trials and 1 meta-analysis. Overall, patients treated with pregabalin experienced significant decreases in the  Anxiety Rating Scale. Significant benefits on anxiety symptoms were seen as early as 1 week after initiation. Pregabalin was well tolerated; the most common adverse effects were somnolence, dizziness, dry mouth, and headache.

Anxiety symptoms may respond to doses around 400 mg/day.   Pregabalin is well tolerated, but adverse effects of dizziness and somnolence should be monitored by your physician.   Pregabalin is not FDA-approved for the treatment of GAD, but it is recognized as a valuable treatment option in clinical guidelines.  Pregabalin seems to have little risk for dependence or withdrawal upon discontinuation of use, which are key advantages over benzodiazepine therapy.

Pregabalin added to Effexor may increase the side effects of both drugs - thus the caution when taking these 2 medications together. The sleepiness does wear off as do all the other side effects such as slurred speech and drunken gait with time therefore being alert and aware of the side effects is the most important information you should be in-tune to.

You should be aware of the side effect and do not drive a car, work with machines or do other dangerous activities until you know how your body is going to react to either of these medications alone or in combination.

I found the info on  Pregabalin very interesting and if I were just starting medications for anxiety I would seriously consider this drug.  Remain alert to and allow for the side effects to wear off and you will most likely do well.

Keep in close contact with your Dr. and again,  I did not mean to startle you.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Glad you stayed off of the internet - great way to curb your tendency to want to Google and find more info then you could possibly sort out in a lifetime.

I will share with you - my Effexor XL dose is 300mg and I take it in the morning.

To help with sleep I use Trazodone 150 mg ( low dose) for the side effect of drowsiness. Trazodone is an old ( 30 year old) antidepressant which is rarely used for depression these days.

I am just sharing with you what my Psychiatrist has ordered for me and in my case this combo works.  Remember I am not a physician and this is just my own information.