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

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

REPLY

REPORT

I have stage 4 kidney cancer w/ mets to bones ,lungs;and pancreas, I,ve been on and off oxycodone and valium for 11 yrs now with no problem. I dont believe it to be a safe combination in the beginning ,however a tolerance to these drugs build up over time I see no problem with the combination when taken as prescribed.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

Hi everyone, This is my first post. It's going to be a long because I want to provide as much info as possible. Warn...

Howdy folks, in bad shape and need some relief. I've taken the Lortabs/Lorcegts, Darvaset Percoset, yada, yada yada....

1 REPLY

I am age 75 and was for a long time taking amlong 2.5 mg once at night. Since the BP reading continued to be above 140/9...

48 year old Raleigh resident looking for a doctor to prescribe me my diazepam. I am being cut off from the clinic I go t...

6 REPLIES

My wife has been taking Multaq for 9 months. In January, she was hospitalized with renal failure and treated with IV'...

4 REPLIES

How long do I need to be off Contrave prior to having a significant orthopedic procedure which I know I will need opioid...

2 REPLIES

My friend was on 8mg of Suboxone for 8 years. Her doctor cut her back to 2.5mg on the last week and then cut her off due...

5 REPLIES

My doctor said to increase dosage from 20mg to 25 and then in small increments if necessary. He has prescribed both 10 a...

2 REPLIES

Can I take two 0.5 mg lorazepam pills to make a single 1 mg dose if they are different brands? ## Hi Amanda! U can, if i...

2 REPLIES

I have been taking Neurontin and Lyraca together for six months, with no pain reduction. My Dr. recently suggested elimi...

1 REPLY