Pregabalin in refractory focal epilepsy with and without comorbid anxiety disorder

What is it about?

Patients with epilepsy may also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Pregabalin (PGB) is in use in epilepsy and in generalized anxiety disorder. We examined whether it worked when patients had both - epilepsy and an anxiety disorder. PGB was given to patients who had both disorders and to patients who had an epilepsy only. No placebo control was used. We found that PGB was effective in reducing seizure frequency (especially in those with an anxiety disorder) and anxiety symptoms.

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Why is it important?

Although the study has some limitations (open study, no placebo control etc.) we found that pregabalin is effective and well tolerated in patients who have epilepsy and an anxiety disorder. This is a valuable information as it should open the opportunity to treat to diseases in one patient with one drug.