New Warning for Gabapentinoids : AJN The American Journal of Nursing (2024)

FAQs

What is the new warning for gabapentinoids? ›

Gabapentin and pregabalin are used to treat a variety of neurologic conditions including seizures, nerve pain, and restless legs syndrome. The new warning concerns the risk of potentially fatal respiratory depression with this class of drugs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that serious breathing difficulties may occur in patients using gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) or pregabalin (Lyrica, Lyrica CR) who have respiratory risk factors.

Patients should be instructed to discontinue NEURONTIN and seek immediate medical care should they experience signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis or angioedema. Patients taking NEURONTIN should not drive until they have gained sufficient experience to assess whether NEURONTIN impairs their ability to drive.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) now requires new warning labels on all gabapentinoids regarding potential respiratory depressant effects. There is an increased risk for serious breathing difficulties among patients who use gabapentanoids alone or with other drugs that depress the central nervous system (CNS).

Filed by former Parke-Davis employee David Franklin, this lawsuit alleged that the company violated federal regulations by engaging in systematic efforts to promote the anti-seizure drug gabapentin (Neurontin) for uses not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Some people misuse the prescription medication alongside opioids to boost their effects, though this significantly increases the risk of unintentional opioid poisoning and death. This has led several U.S. states to classify gabapentin as a controlled substance, with more potentially looking to do the same.

In rare instances, gabapentin can cause DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome. This is a severe allergic reaction that can cause damage to major organs, including the liver and kidneys. If you have existing kidney problems, you may need a lower dose of gabapentin.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has been ordered to pay $142 million US in damages for fraudulently marketing gabapentin, an anti-seizure drug marketed under the name Neurontin. A federal jury in Boston ruled Thursday that Pfizer fraudulently marketed the drug and promoted it for unapproved uses.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors, such as feeling sad or hopeless, getting upset easily, or feeling nervous, restless, or hostile. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed.

What is the truth about gabapentin? ›

Gabapentin has been suspected to have potential for misuse since it became widely available. The drug may be misused for euphoria, potentiating the high from opiates, reduction of alcohol cravings, a cocaine-like high, and sedation. There are several documented cases of gabapentin misuse, dependence, and withdrawal.

Are there any serious interactions with gabapentin and other medications? Serious breathing problems can happen if you take gabapentin with drugs that cause severe sleepiness or decreased awareness. Some examples include narcotic opioids, anti-anxiety medicines, antidepressants, and antihistamines.

However, side effects of gabapentin can be serious, leading to weight gain, dizziness, and even suicidal thoughts. Gabapentin is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve in the face.

"Empty capsules could result in missed dose(s) of gabapentin resulting in adverse health consequences that could range from no effect, short term reduction in efficacy, short term withdrawal effect, or status epilepticus (long period seizures) that could be life-threatening," warns a company press release posted on the ...

How long to take it for. If you have epilepsy, it's likely that once your condition is under control you'll still need to take gabapentin for many years. If you have nerve pain, once your pain has gone you'll continue to take gabapentin for several months or longer to stop it coming back.

This medicine may cause respiratory depression, a serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening, when used together with narcotic pain medicines.

Because gabapentin can enhance the psychological effect of opioids, it has the potential to be abused and has contributed to drug overdose deaths. Drugs such as gabapentin have been linked in rare cases to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

have ever misused or been addicted to a medicine. are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant. are on a controlled sodium or potassium diet, or your kidneys do not work well (gabapentin liquid contains sodium and potassium, so speak to your doctor before taking it)