Risk to heroin users of polydrug use of pregabalin or gabapentin

• DOI: 10.1111/add.13843
• Publication Date: 2017-05-10T23:04:17Z
• Authors: Abigail Lyndon; Suzanne Audrey; Claudia Wells; Erica S. Burnell; Suzanne Ingle; Rob Hill; Matthew Hickman; Graeme Henderson
• Keywords: Pregabalin

Aim To examine the risk to heroin users of also using gabapentin or pregabalin (gabapentoids). Design Multi-disciplinary study: we (a) examined trends in drug-related deaths and gabapentoid prescription data England Wales test for evidence that any increase mentioning is associated with prescribing concomitant opioid use; (b) interviewed people a history use about their polydrug involving pregabalin; (c) studied respiratory depressant effects absence presence morphine mice determine whether exposure increased degree depression observed. Setting Wales. Participants Interviews were conducted 30 participants (19 males, 11 female). Measurements Office National Statistics from 1 January 2004 31 December 2015 mention both an gabapentin; subjective views on availability, use, interactions rate depth respiration. Results Pregabalin prescriptions approximately 24% per year million 10.5 2015. The number gabapentoids fewer than one prior 2009 137 2015; 79% these involved opioids. was correlated highly (correlation coefficient 0.94; 5% 100 000 prescriptions). Heroin described as easy obtain. They suggested combination reinforced but concerned it induced 'blackouts' overdose. In mice, low dose S-pregabalin (20 mg/kg) did not itself depress respiration reversed tolerance (resulting 35% respiration, P < 0.05), whereas high (200 alone depressed this effect summated morphine. Conclusions For users, opioids potentially increases acute overdose death through either reversal additive drugs