If you are relying on nerve pain medications that are popular in the country, there is an announcement from the FDA for you. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has announced recently that it found two popular nerve pain drugs, Gabapentin and Pregabalin, to be linked to breathing issues as well as several deaths in the past. The organization has released a press document, in which they detail the issues faced by users who had used the drugs, either alone or combined with other opioids. The details are alarming indeed.
“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. Gabapentinoids are often being combined with CNS depressants, which increases the risk of respiratory depression. CNS depressants include opioids, anti-anxiety medicines, antidepressants, and antihistamines,” said the FDA, which also added that it would be looking into the issue in the future. FDA also adds that the drugs can cause severe pulmonary issues if they are combined with other medications a user is taking. Users are advised to take precaution before they resume the consumption.
The problem with the issue is that the drugs are used quite widely across the country. Both these drugs are being used for a variety of needs concerning nerve pain. Patients who suffer from nerve pain after surgery are known to be dependent on these drugs as are those who have issues with seizures, shingles, diabetes and fibromyalgia. It should be noted that the amount of risks are lower when Gabapentin and Pregabalin are taken alone when compared to the combined use. Therefore, those who combined these popular drugs with other prescribed drugs should take the right steps and advice from professionals.
