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State: Ntl. Paduda: Watch Out for Gabapentin: [2022-09-27] |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that gabapentin was involved in one out of every 10 fatal overdose deaths in reporting states. Similar to opioids, gabapentin can cause severe breathing difficulties, which are exacerbated when the drug is combined with other central nervous system depressants (opioids, antidepressants, antianxiety meds). Illicit use of gabapentin appears to be on the rise. From JAMA:
Gabapentin is a non-scheduled drug that became much more widely prescribed as opioid scripts declined. Back in 2018, one out of five chronic pain patients was prescribed gabapentin (or its cousin, pregabalin). There’s some evidence that misuse of gabapentin, which is almost always prescribed off-label, often occurs after the consumer had a prescription for the drug. And, Parke-Davis, manufacturer of Neurontin, the brand name version of gabapentin, pleaded guilty to promoting off-label use and paid a $430 million fine. So, what to do? First, learn more. Start here: myMatrixx’ Shanea McKinney penned an excellent overview way back in 2019. Then:
What does this mean for you? This looks awfully familiar. Joseph Paduda is co-owner of CompPharma, a consulting firm focused on improving pharmacy programs in workers’ compensation. This column is republished with his permission from his Managed Care Matters blog. |