Gabapentin, opioids, and the risk of opioid-related death: A population-based nested case-control study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prescription opioid use is highly associated with risk of opioid-related death, with 1 of every 550 chronic opioid users dying within approximately 2.5 years of their first opioid prescription. Although gabapentin is widely perceived as safe, drug-induced respiratory depression has been described when gabapentin is used alone or in combination with other medications. Because gabapentin and opioids are both commonly prescribed for pain, the likelihood of co-prescription is high. However, no published studies have examined whether concomitant gabapentin therapy is associated with an increased risk of accidental opioid-related death in patients receiving opioids. The objective of this study was to investigate whether co-prescription of opioids and gabapentin is associated w

SUBMITTER: Gomes T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5626029 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature