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Addiction Warning For Common Pain, Anxiety Meds
12 Jan
Summary
- New warnings highlight addictive nature of gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, and z-drugs.
- Patient leaflets now clearly define dependence and offer safe tapering guidance.
- Nearly 4.5 million in England alone were prescribed gabapentinoids in 2022/2023.
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is enhancing addiction warnings on prescription drugs for pain, anxiety, and insomnia, including gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, and z-drugs. These medications, prescribed to millions, will now feature prominent alerts about their addictive nature, dependence risks, and potential withdrawal reactions on patient information leaflets.
Gabapentinoids, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, are used for nerve pain and epilepsy, with an estimated 4.5 million prescriptions issued in England during 2022/2023. Benzodiazepines, like diazepam and lorazepam, are typically short-term solutions for severe anxiety or insomnia, while z-drugs are non-benzodiazepine medications for short-term insomnia treatment.
The MHRA's enhanced warnings aim to improve patient and healthcare professional understanding of these risks. Advice against combining these medicines with opioids or alcohol, and not sharing them, is also being strengthened. Patients are urged to consult healthcare professionals before stopping any medication to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
