Warning re Gabapentin and Pregabalin

[Goldy700]

You might have already seen this. Seems very dangerous if mixed with opioids.

newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/1...

December 21, 2019 at 7:21 pm.

The FDA released the warning on Thursday for the medications gabapentin and pregabalin.

The drugs are used to treat pain caused by several conditions including seizures, nerve pain after surgery, shingles, and diabetes.

They are also used to help patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and restless legs syndrome.

Federal health officials are warning that when these medications are combined with opioids or other drugs they could trigger a potentially fatal loss of lung function.

“Our evaluation shows that the use of these medicines, often referred to as gabapentinoids, has been growing for prescribed medical use, as well as misuse and abuse,” FDA officials said in their release.

“Gabapentinoids are often being combined with CNS depressants (opioids), which increases the risk of respiratory depression.”

[Millie09]

Well I never knew that!! I'm on pregabalin, but I'm also taking sertraline . plus!! I have a constant cough yet dont smoke, I vape but very rarely.. thank for for posting goldy .

[Madlegs1]

Yep-- I put this up a while back.

Really only applies to " at risk" patients.

But thanks for the reminder-- can never have too much prodding. 😂

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

Can never have too much prodding? You obviously haven't met my Mrs

[Madlegs1 in reply to Hidden]

Is she a "Proddy" ? 😂🤔

(For 'non oirish' that's a friendly in joke !)

🤕😎

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

I wish I heard good reports

[Hidden]

Thanks Goldy.

Madlegs posted about that a while back.

It's actually a small percentage of people affected and the issue only arises if someone has some other respiratory issues anyway e.g. due to opioids or a lung condition.

It 'd be good if the FDA issued a warning about augmentation due to dopamine agonists. Far more people affected by that.

I'm not being cynical, people taking a gaba, with no respirstory problem or taking an opioid shouldn'r worry

[Arkangel in reply to Hidden]

I couldn't agree more about a warning concerning augmentation - when even the prescribing doctors are ignorant of the facts.