Pregabalin/ Lyrica for generilsed anxiety disorder

[Ihavequestionsplease]

I am seeking information on this drug please. I have just registered for this purpose and i am not a pharmacist. I am a patient with GAD and currently take citalopram. but my doctor is looking into alternatives.

I notice this drug is now approved in the UK for GAD. but i guess it is very expensive therefore i suspect my gp will not be allowed to prescribe it? I am in the cornwall and Scilly isles primary trust.

Is it possible to get a precription if i was prepared to pay for the drug myself?

[DavidS]

Pregabalin | Medicine | Patient UK is for some information.

You would need a privaate prescription to pay for the drug yourself.

It's up to your doctor to decide whether you should be prescribed it: cost is not the only issue.

I hope you are going to engage in some form of psychological therapy: the effects are longer lasting than drug treatment.

[bobbin]

I am seeking information on this drug please. I have just registered for this purpose and i am not a pharmacist. I am a patient with GAD and currently take citalopram. but my doctor is looking into alternatives.

I notice this drug is now approved in the UK for GAD. but i guess it is very expensive therefore i suspect my gp will not be allowed to prescribe it? I am in the cornwall and Scilly isles primary trust.

Is it possible to get a precription if i was prepared to pay for the drug myself?

It would be unusual for a GP to initiate pregabalin treatment for GAD. Normally, if symptoms were severe and 'standard' treatments such as citalopram had been unsuccesful, the GP would refer to a consultant psychiatrist. The psychiatrist may prescribe medication and/or provide a limited amount of psychological treament. If the psychiatrist considered that specialist therapy was needed (eg. CBTO, you would then be referred to a clinical psychologist (although there may be a long waiting list).

If you had been stabilised on a particular medication by the psychiatrist, s/he would write to the GP and ask them to continue prescribing it. Citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, venlafaxine, buspirone, pregabalin and benzodiazepines are all used to treat GAD. Benzodiazepines are normally used for short periods of time only eg. when starting an antidepressant, during a crisis or 'when required' for severe anxiety/panic.

I do not know whether your particular PCT has any policies on the use of pregabalin for GAD. I suspect that most PCTs would state that GPs should only prescribe pregabalin on the instructions of a specialist. These are only guidelines however.... it is ultimately up to your GP.

I cannot imagine why you would need to get a private script for pregabalin. You ought to be able to get treatment on the NHS.... although it may not be pregabalin, it could be a different medication altogether. You do not say why you are wanting an alternative to citalopram (?).

A private script for pregabalin would probably cost you between £85 and £130 per month.

Bobbin