Pregabalin (Lyrica): reports of severe respiratory depression Pregabalin has been associated with infrequent reports of severe respiratory depression, including some cases without the presence of concomitant opioid medicines. Patients with compromised respiratory function, respiratory or neurological disease, renal impairment; those FDA is warning that serious, life-threatening, and fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the gabapentinoids, gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica, MHRA/CHM advice: Antiepileptics: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour (August 2008) See Epilepsy. MHRA/CHM advice: Gabapentin (Neurontin®): risk of severe respiratory depression (October 2017) Gabapentin has been associated with a rare risk of severe respiratory depression even without concomitant opioid medicines. Gabapentin and pregabalin can cause depression of the central nervous system, resulting in drowsiness, sedation, and potentially fatal respiratory depression, particularly if used The MHRA and manufacturers advise that when prescribing gabapentin in patients who require concomitant treatment with opioid medicines, patients should be carefully observed for signs of CNS depression, such as somnolence, sedation, and respiratory depression, and the dose of either gabapentin or the opioid should be reduced appropriately. 6,7 The changes made in the revised version highlights two additional high risk population category for developing gabapentinoids induced respiratory depression such as patients with concurrent opioid use and patients administered with gabapentinoids on the day of surgery. • Gabapentin6 and pregabalin7 are associated with rare/infrequent risk of respiratory depression. The MHRA advises prescribers to show caution when initiating gabapentin or pregabalin and consider whether adjustments in dose or dosing regimen are necessary in patients at higher risk of respiratory depression, including those: Gabapentin has been reported to enhance the analgesic effects of opioids. There might be an additive effect of gabapentin and opioids on respiratory depression (see Further information) – monitor for signs of CNS depression (such as somnolence, sedation, respiratory depression), and adjust the dose of gabapentin or the opioid appropriately. Gabapentin (Neurontin): risk of severe respiratory depression. October 2017. Gabapentin (Neurontin): risk of severe respiratory depression - GOV.UK 10. MHRA Drug Safety Update. Pregabalin (Lyrica): reports of severe respiratory depression. February 2021. Pregabalin (Lyrica): reports of severe respiratory depression - GOV.UK 11. Public Health In 2017, the MHRA issued a warning about gabapentin being associated with a rare risk of severe respiratory depression even without concomitant opioid medicines. It highlighted that patients with compromised respiratory function, respiratory or neurological disease, renal impairment, concomitant use of CNS depressants, and elderly people might There have been other MHRA alerts for gabapentinoids, including: • Gabapentin: risk of severe respiratory depression (October 2017) • Pregabalin: reports of severe respiratory depression (February 2021) These reports highlight advice to healthcare professional about the risk of respiratory depression Pregabalin has been associated with infrequent reports of severe respiratory depression, including some cases without the presence of concomitant opioid medicines. Patients with compromised In our second article, we highlight the risk of central nervous system depression, including severe respiratory depression, with gabapentin (page 3). If treating patients at increased risk Reminder of risk of respiratory depression when co-prescribed. The MHRA recently received a report from a Coroner following death by respiratory arrest of a man given the benzodiazepine clonazepam In a recent Drug Safety Update, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned about a rare risk of severe respiratory depression with gabapentin, with or without concomitant use of opioids. 1 In England, 6.5 million prescriptions for gabapentin were dispensed in 2016. 2 “Reports of gabapentinoid abuse alone, and with opioids, have emerged and there are serious consequences of this co-use, including respiratory depression and increased risk of opioid overdose death. Risk of respiratory depression. A European review of gabapentin was triggered by reports of patients developing respiratory depression without concomitant use of opioids. MHRA 1 highlights the significant safety concerns and risks of respiratory depression associated with gabapentin use. Morphine can increase the bioavailability of gabapentin. Individuals misusing gabapentin and pregabalin variably describe improved sociability, euphoria, relaxation and a sense of calm. Gabapentin and pregabalin have the propensity to cause depression of the central nervous system, resulting in drowsiness, sedation, respiratory depression and at the extreme, death. Gabapentin and risk of severe respiratory depression. Gabapentin and risk of severe respiratory depression Drug Ther Bull. 2018 Jan;56(1) :3-4. doi
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |