Abstract
Gabapentin and pregabalin, commonly known as gabapentinoids, have been widely used globally. This paper highlights the serious breathing problems due to using gabapentin and pregabalin which was warned by the United States Food and Drug Administration on December, 2019. In this article, we tried to recommend suggestions for controlling these adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Safety reports of gabapentin and pregabalin should be obtained from concerned manufacturers and reviewed for respiratory depression effects. There should be strict prescription monitoring and drug use evaluation studies. Concurrent use of gabapentin and pregabalin with other respiratory depressants such as opioids should be strictly monitored. Educating patients can help in the early detection of ADRs due to gabapentin and pregabalin. Anecdotal reports on these medications should be encouraged.
Highlights
Gabapentin and pregabalin, commonly known as gabapentinoids, have been widely used globally
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
The use of pregabalin is associated with hematological adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and gabapentin is associated with liver toxicity
Summary
Any reports and responses or comments on the article can be found at the end of the article. Concurrent use of these drugs with other respiratory depressants should be strictly monitored Anecdotal reports on these medications should be encouraged as they can be crucial in detecting ADRs21. A retrospective study involving 175,787 patients who underwent colorectal surgery reported administration of gabapentinoids on the day of surgery was associated with an increased risk of pulmonary complications[23] In another retrospective analysis involving 858,306 patients who underwent total hip and knee arthroplasties, gabapentinoids showed respiratory suppression during the immediate post-operative period in a dose-dependent fashion[24]. Social media may play a crucial role in the signal generation of suspected ADRs in these situations[27] Hospitals using these medications should develop risk management plans associated with gabapentoinoids usage and must disseminate any safety issues to concerned authorities
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