Strongest FDA Warnings Out on Opioid, Benzodiazapine Risks

Posted by Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor @predictable, Nov 2, 2016

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its strongest warnings that prescription opioids and benzodiazapines pose major risks to users, especially if they are taken together or in combination with alcohol.

In a notice published at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm518473.htm, the FDA told health care professionals to stop prescribing opioid cough medicines for patients taking benzodiazapines -- or other depressants of the Central Nervous System (CNS) including alcohol. They should prescribe opioids for pain only when other treatment options are inadequate.

Opioids — such as codeine, hydrocodone (HYSLINGA, NORCO, ZOHYDRO) and oxycodone (OXYCONTIN) — are widely prescribed for pain and cough. Benzodiazepines — such as diazepam (VALIUM) and alprazolam (XANAX) — are often used for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and sleep problems.

Combinations of these drugs can cause extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, coma, and death, the FDA said. Get details at the web site, and be sure to scroll down and click up several additional pages which explain the risks and list the dozens of opioids and benzodiazapines on the market.

The FDA said it now requires black-box warnings -- its strongest warnings -- on the dangers of combining opioid pain medications with benzodiazepines. Public Citizen’s Health Research Group lists most opioids as "Limited Use," noting that they are overprescribed and can be addictive. They list most benzodiazepines as "Do Not Use," with the exception of alprazolam, which is Do Not Use except for panic disorder.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

kenc | @kenc | 3 days ago

In reply to @ruthblaze "What do you reccomend for pain after withdrawal of gabapentin and tramadol" + (show)

Depends on the cause of the pain.

bunstuffer | @bunstuffer | 3 days ago

I understand the dangers of these drugs but I have valium, hydrocodone and cyclobenzaprine in my medicine cabinet. My doctor monitors these closely. I know better than to take these together. I have been to 8 doctors including 3 pain centers one at teaching hospital with no relief for pain in my back, hip and thigh. I can't take Cymbalta or tricyclics because of severe side effects. Cymbalta(30mg) landed me in the hospital with serotonin syndrome and low blood sodium. Gabapentin(100mg) made me fall but didn't relieve my pain. Tricyclics made me vomit. I've tried other things also. I've had difficulty tolerating medicine since I was a child. I guess we all have to do what works for us as individuals. I'm about 4 hours from Rochester but have no way to get there. I drive but don't feel comfortable driving that far alone anymore.

suzfuse46 | @suzfuse46 | 2 days ago

I am wondering how many of you out there have sensitivities, allergies and adverse reactions to many types of medications that are prescribed for chronic pain, like antidepressants, antiseizure, NSAIDs, antispasmodics and DMARDs. It seems like if you have any G.I. issues like gastritis, GERD, diverticulosis or IBS or Sjogren's, you are not going to do well with many of the medications prescribed to try to relieve the pain. It would be interesting and beneficial to know if this is a common problem among chronic pain patients so that we wouldn't face the doubt of prescribers that these sensitivities exist. IMHO - we really need a research study to investigate this.

tammy1977 | @tammy1977 | 2 days ago

I agree, ill be following to see answers you receive

mackaymouse | @mackaymouse | 1 day ago

In reply to @suzfuse46 "I am wondering how many of you out there have sensitivities, allergies and adverse reactions to..." + (show)

I can't take NSAIDS,they make me bleed internally. I have multiple allergies! There are so many side effects from medication that I take but I keep telling myself that it's better than the symptoms.
I believe you, there has to be a link.