Pregabalin is a new anxiolytic that acts as a presynaptic inhibitor of the release of excessive levels of excitatory neurotransmitters. To the best of our knowledge pregabalin has not been investigated in alcohol dependence, a disorder frequently characterized by high levels of anxiety, panic attacks, and unsteadiness.

Twenty detoxified alcohol dependent subjects meeting clinical criteria for Alcohol Dependence were consecutively recruited, after a short detoxification period, and then orally treated with flexible doses of pregabalin (mean dosage = 260.5 mg/day) for 6 monthss. The level of craving for alcohol was evaluated through a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Psychiatric symptomatology was evaluated through the Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90 R). Effectiveness measures included the Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI) and the Quality of Life Index (QOL).

eleven patients (55%) maintained an alcohol free condition for all the study period. Subjects experienced a reduction of craving in both OCDS (F=13.2; p<.001) and VAS (F=11.2; p<.001), a decrease of the SCL-90 subscore of ostility-aggression (F=8.1; p<.05). At the end of the study improvements were evidenced on both CGI (p<.001) and QOL (p<.001).

the data of this pilot clinical study, suggest a possible role for this drug in the treatment of individuals with alcohol problems. If it could be demonstrated in controlled randomised trials that pregabalin is efficacious in decreasing alcohol use, lessening craving, and attenuating psychopathological symptom severity, we will have gained a powerful agent for the treatment of alcohol dependent subjects.