Death due to Pregabalin and Gabapentin. Aleem M A , Hakkim A M BMJ 2018;363:k4364 .

BMJ

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Pregabalin and gabapentin become controlled drugs to cut deaths from misuse

BMJ 2018; 363 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4364 (Published 16 October 2018)

Cite this as: BMJ 2018;363:k4364

Rapid response

Re: Pregabalin and gabapentin become controlled drugs to cut deaths from misuse

Death due to Pregabalin and Gabapentin.

In India, pregabalin and gabapentin are increasingly being used illicitly. Both drugs can depress the central nervous system, which may result in sedation and cause breathing difficulties.

In patients who are already taking substances that depress the central nervous system such as alcohol, opioids, and the benzodiazepine group of drugs, pregabalin and gabapentin may cause overdose side effects and toxicities.

To reduce the number of tragic deaths due to pregabalin and gabapentin, strict guidelines should be adopted for these drug prescriptions.

These drugs should not be allowed to be advertised to promote business on television and in non-medical magazines in all countries.

So it is ideal for reclassification of these drugs as class C controlled substances all over the world, including in India.

Competing interests: No competing interests

26 October 2018

M.A. Aleem

Emeritus Professor of Neurology* Visiting neurology consultant** Neurologist***

A.M.Hakkim

The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R Medical University* Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital** ABC Hospital***

Chennai 600032* Perambalur 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India

@drmaaleem