Neurontin and Lyrica Drugs: Increased Risk of Drug Use, Overdose, and Serious Trauma

2024-05-06 16:20:00

I recently told you that a study has detected that the consumption of gabapentinoid drugslike the famous Lyricahas grown 30% in five years, despite its few benefits and serious risks.

Now, new scientific work has found a link between gabapentinoid prescriptions and a increased risk of worse patient outcomes.

This trial identified higher rates of drug use, overdose and severe trauma such as bone fractures or head injuries, in people who took this group of drugs compared to those who did not.

That is to say, these medications enhance addictions and even more so among people who are already smokers or who have had problems with drugs. When introduced into pharmacies, gabapentinoids were thought to be safe medications without risk of addictionbut were reclassified in 2019 due to their potential for misuse or damage.

So you have to know that people take other pain medications, such as opioids y antidepressantshave a higher risk of harm if mixed with gabapentin –Neurontin– and pregabalin –Lyrica-, the two gabapentinoids marketed in Spain.

And we must also take into account that due to the commercial pressures of the manufacturers of these products, a good part of people consume them outside their official or legal indication.

Among the unauthorized indications are fibromyalgialumbar pain and sciatica, migraines or restless legs syndrome. And they are NOT authorized in people who already consume other medications, especially anxiolytics or those mentioned antidepressants.

Therefore, not only are they being used more, but they are also being used worse, and now we know of more possible harm (especially in certain populations).

An example of the latter is that 11% of the people who took them in Navarra had a diagnosis of asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). And it happens that in diseases like those mentioned, mixing gabapentinoids with other central nervous system depressants (such as benzodiazepines and opiates) causes a high risk of respiratory depression and dependence.

In people over 65 years of age, their consumption It can also cause heart disease, edemadizziness and greater risk of suicide and depression…and more than 50% of those who take them meet this condition.

So serious risks and very low benefit, that’s why some healthcare providers are betting on its deprescriptionstop giving them.

If you have any problems with these treatments contact ADAF, the Association of People Affected by Drugs

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