Fda Issues Strongest Warning For Combining Opioids And Benzodiazepenes (Page 2)

In an announcement on August 31 (2016), the FDA declared that they are adding Boxed Warnings to the drug labeling of prescription opioid and benzodiazepene medications.

They are urging health care professionals to limit combining such drugs to cases where alternative treatments are not adequate. For cases when taking both types of medications is deemed necessary, doctors are urged to limit the dosages and duration of each drug to the minimum possible for the desired effect.

After conducting and reviewing several studies, the FDA has found serious risks in combining central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Namely, a high instance of slowed or difficulty breathing (and even deaths) when opioids and benzodiazepenes are taken together. This warning also applies to patients taking opioid cough medicines and/or opioid pain killers along with alcohol.

For those patients who are taking a combination of opioid and benzodiazepene drugs (or other CNS depressants, including alcohol), you are urged to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you are caring for experiences unusual lightheadedness or dizziness, slowed or difficult breathing, extreme sleepiness, or becomes unresponsive (such as not answering or reacting normally, or being unable to wake them up).

Opioids are a class of powerful narcotic medicines that are used to treat severe pain. Certain opioids, such as codeine and hydrocodone, are approved in combination with other drugs to reduce coughing. The FDA states that these drugs carry serious risks including misuse and abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Benzodiazepenes are a class of medicines which are widely used to treat conditions such as anxiety, seizures, and insomnia.

For those of you taking both types of medications, what do you think about these warnings from the FDA? Do you think your doctor will be adjusting your treatment plan as a result? Leave us a message below...


via FDA: Drug Safety Communication

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