Managing the misuse potential and risk of psychological harm from gabapentinoids in primary care in New Zealand

References

[1]  Pegasus. The Gabapentinoids Medicines Update Bulletin 2020. Christchurch: Pegasus Health; 2020.

[2]  Medsafe. Pregabalin Pfizer data sheet. Wellington: Medsafe; 2019. [cited 2020 December 21]. Available from: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/l/Lyricacaps.pdf.

[3]  Medsafe. Gabapentin data sheet. Wellington: Medsafe; 2019. [cited 2020 December 21]. Available from: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/a/arrowgabapentincap.pdf.

[4]  Derry S, Bell RF, Straube S, et al. Pregabalin for neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019; CD007076.
| 30673120PubMed |

[5]  Generoso MB, Trevizol AP, Kasper S, et al. Pregabalin for generalized anxiety disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2017; 32 49–55.
| Pregabalin for generalized anxiety disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27643884PubMed |

[6]  Slee A, Nazareth I, Bondaronek P, et al. Pharmacological treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2019; 393 768–77.
| Pharmacological treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30712879PubMed |

[7]  Federico CA, Wang T, Doussau A, et al. Assessment of pregabalin postapproval trials and the suggestion of efficacy for new indications: a systematic review. JAMA Intern Med. 2019; 179 90–7.
| Assessment of pregabalin postapproval trials and the suggestion of efficacy for new indications: a systematic review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30477010PubMed |

[8]  Dyer O. Industry payments to doctors drive surge in gabapentinoid prescribing, study finds. BMJ. 2019; 366 l4672.
| Industry payments to doctors drive surge in gabapentinoid prescribing, study finds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31300395PubMed |

[9]  Goodman CW, Brett AS. A clinical overview of off-label use of gabapentinoid drugs. JAMA Intern Med. 2019; 179 695–701.
| A clinical overview of off-label use of gabapentinoid drugs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30907944PubMed |

[10]  Cairns R, Schaffer AL, Ryan N, et al. Rising pregabalin use and misuse in Australia: trends in utilization and intentional poisonings. Addiction. 2019; 114 1026–34.
| Rising pregabalin use and misuse in Australia: trends in utilization and intentional poisonings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30098227PubMed |

[11]  Crossin R, Scott D, Arunogiri S, et al. Pregabalin misuse‐related ambulance attendances in Victoria, 2012–2017: characteristics of patients and attendances. Med J Aust. 2019; 210 75–9.
| Pregabalin misuse‐related ambulance attendances in Victoria, 2012–2017: characteristics of patients and attendances.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30712302PubMed |

[12]  Montastruc F, Loo SY, Renoux C. Trends in first gabapentin and pregabalin prescriptions in primary care in the United Kingdom, 1993–2017. JAMA. 2018; 320 2149–51.
| Trends in first gabapentin and pregabalin prescriptions in primary care in the United Kingdom, 1993–2017.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30480717PubMed |

[13]  Grosshans M, Lemenager T, Vollmert C, et al. Pregabalin abuse among opiate addicted patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013; 69 2021–5.
| Pregabalin abuse among opiate addicted patients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23989299PubMed |

[14]  Lancia M, Gambelunghe A, Gili A, et al. Pregabalin abuse in combination with other drugs: monitoring among methadone patients. Front Psychiatry. 2020; 10 1022.
| Pregabalin abuse in combination with other drugs: monitoring among methadone patients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32116826PubMed |

[15]  Bonnet U, Scherbaum N. How addictive are gabapentin and pregabalin? A systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2017; 27 1185–215.
| How addictive are gabapentin and pregabalin? A systematic review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28988943PubMed |

[16]  Schifano F, Chiappini S. Pregabalin: a range of misuse‐related unanswered questions. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2019; 25 659.
| Pregabalin: a range of misuse‐related unanswered questions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30834646PubMed |

[17]  Daly C, Griffin E, Ashcroft DM, et al. Intentional drug overdose involving pregabalin and gabapentin: findings from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland, 2007–2015. Clin Drug Investig. 2018; 38 373–80.
| Intentional drug overdose involving pregabalin and gabapentin: findings from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland, 2007–2015.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29264838PubMed |

[18]  Nahar LK, Murphy KG, Paterson S. Misuse and mortality related to gabapentin and pregabalin are being under-estimated: a two-year post-mortem population study. J Anal Toxicol. 2019; 43 564–70.
| Misuse and mortality related to gabapentin and pregabalin are being under-estimated: a two-year post-mortem population study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31062862PubMed |

[19]  Elliott SP, Burke T, Smith C. Determining the toxicological significance of pregabalin in fatalities. J Forensic Sci. 2017; 62 169–73.
| Determining the toxicological significance of pregabalin in fatalities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27864947PubMed |

[20]  Häkkinen M, Vuori E, Kalso E, et al. Profiles of pregabalin and gabapentin abuse by postmortem toxicology. Forensic Sci Int. 2014; 241 1–6.
| Profiles of pregabalin and gabapentin abuse by postmortem toxicology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24835028PubMed |

[21]  Tracy DK. Gabapentinoids linked to new risks, including suicidal behaviour. BMJ. 2019; 365 l4021.
| Gabapentinoids linked to new risks, including suicidal behaviour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31189536PubMed |

[22]  Molero Y, Larsson H, D’Onofrio BM, et al. Associations between gabapentinoids and suicidal behaviour, unintentional overdoses, injuries, road traffic incidents, and violent crime: population based cohort study in Sweden. BMJ. 2019; 365 l2147.
| Associations between gabapentinoids and suicidal behaviour, unintentional overdoses, injuries, road traffic incidents, and violent crime: population based cohort study in Sweden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31189556PubMed |

[23]  Gahr M, Freudenmann RW, Hiemke C, et al. Pregabalin abuse and dependence in Germany: results from a database query. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013; 69 1335–42.
| Pregabalin abuse and dependence in Germany: results from a database query.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23292158PubMed |

[24]  Chiu T, Brett J, Pearson SA, Schaffer AL. Patterns of pregabalin initiation and discontinuation after its subsidy in Australia. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020; 86 1882–7.
| Patterns of pregabalin initiation and discontinuation after its subsidy in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32153053PubMed |

[25]  Viniol A, Ploner T, Hickstein L, et al. Prescribing practice of pregabalin/gabapentin in pain therapy: an evaluation of German claim data. BMJ Open. 2019; 9 e021535.
| Prescribing practice of pregabalin/gabapentin in pain therapy: an evaluation of German claim data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30928920PubMed |

[26]  Ponton R. Pregabalin misuse: preventing potential problems in New Zealand. N Z Med J. 2018; 131 50–4.
| 30001306PubMed |

[27]  Evoy KE, Morrison MD, Saklad SR. Abuse and misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin. Drugs. 2017; 77 403–26.
| Abuse and misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28144823PubMed |

[28]  Dreier JW, Pedersen CB, Gasse C, Christensen J. Antiepileptic drugs and suicide: role of prior suicidal behavior and parental psychiatric disorder. Ann Neurol. 2019; 86 951–61.
| Antiepileptic drugs and suicide: role of prior suicidal behavior and parental psychiatric disorder.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31621936PubMed |

[29]  Driot D, Jouanjus E, Oustric S, et al. Patterns of gabapentin and pregabalin use and misuse: Results of a population-based cohort study in France. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2019; 85 1260–9.
| Patterns of gabapentin and pregabalin use and misuse: Results of a population-based cohort study in France.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30737829PubMed |

[30]  Peckham AM, Evoy KE, Covvey JR, et al. Predictors of gabapentin overuse with or without concomitant opioids in a commercially insured US population. Pharmacotherapy. 2018; 38 436–43.
| Predictors of gabapentin overuse with or without concomitant opioids in a commercially insured US population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29484686PubMed |

[31]  Reynolds K, Kaufman R, Korenoski A, et al. Trends in gabapentin and baclofen exposures reported to US poison centers. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2020; 58 763–72.
| Trends in gabapentin and baclofen exposures reported to US poison centers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31786961PubMed |

[32]  Vickers-Smith R, Sun J, Charnigo RJ, et al. Gabapentin drug misuse signals: A pharmacovigilance assessment using the FDA adverse event reporting system. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020; 206 107709
| Gabapentin drug misuse signals: A pharmacovigilance assessment using the FDA adverse event reporting system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31732295PubMed |

[33]  Vickers Smith R, Boland EM, Young AM, et al. A qualitative analysis of gabapentin misuse and diversion among people who use drugs in Appalachian Kentucky. Psychol Addict Behav. 2018; 32 115.
| A qualitative analysis of gabapentin misuse and diversion among people who use drugs in Appalachian Kentucky.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29239621PubMed |

[34]  Applewhite D, Regan S, Koenigs K, et al. Use of promethazine, gabapentin and clonidine in combination with opioids or opioid agonist therapies among individuals attending a syringe service program. Int J Drug Policy. 2020; 79 102752.
| Use of promethazine, gabapentin and clonidine in combination with opioids or opioid agonist therapies among individuals attending a syringe service program.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32330837PubMed |

[35]  Leith WM, Lambert WE, Boehnlein JK, Freeman MD. The association between gabapentin and suicidality in bipolar patients. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2019; 34 27–32.
| The association between gabapentin and suicidality in bipolar patients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30383553PubMed |

[36]  Stein MD, Kenney SR, Anderson BJ, et al. Prescribed and non-prescribed gabapentin use among persons seeking inpatient opioid detoxification. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2020; 110 37–41.
| Prescribed and non-prescribed gabapentin use among persons seeking inpatient opioid detoxification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31952626PubMed |

[37]  Sason A, Adelson M, Schreiber S, Peles E. Pregabalin misuse in methadone maintenance treatment patients in Israel: prevalence and risk factors. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018; 189 8–11.
| Pregabalin misuse in methadone maintenance treatment patients in Israel: prevalence and risk factors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29857329PubMed |

[38]  Isoardi KZ, Polkinghorne G, Harris K, Isbister GK. Pregabalin poisoning and rising recreational use: a retrospective observational series. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020; 86 2435–40.
| Pregabalin poisoning and rising recreational use: a retrospective observational series.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32374500PubMed |

[39]  Gomes T, Greaves S, van den Brink W, et al. Pregabalin and the risk for opioid-related death: a nested case–control study. Ann Intern Med. 2018; 169 732–4.
| Pregabalin and the risk for opioid-related death: a nested case–control study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30140853PubMed |

[40]  Slavova S, Miller A, Bunn TL, et al. Prevalence of gabapentin in drug overdose postmortem toxicology testing results. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018; 186 80–5.
| Prevalence of gabapentin in drug overdose postmortem toxicology testing results.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29554591PubMed |

[41]  Thompson A, Morey S, Griffiths A. Pregabalin and its involvement in coronial cases. J Anal Toxicol. 2020; 44 29–35.
| 31095711PubMed |

[42]  Bodén R, Wettermark B, Brandt L, Kieler H. Factors associated with pregabalin dispensing at higher than the approved maximum dose. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2014; 70 197–204.
| Factors associated with pregabalin dispensing at higher than the approved maximum dose.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24141597PubMed |

[43]  Patorno E, Bohn RL, Wahl PM, et al. Anticonvulsant medications and the risk of suicide, attempted suicide, or violent death. JAMA. 2010; 303 1401–9.
| Anticonvulsant medications and the risk of suicide, attempted suicide, or violent death.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20388896PubMed |

[44]  Grimaldi‐Bensouda L, Nordon C, Rossignol M, et al. Antiepileptic drugs and risk of suicide attempts: a case–control study exploring the impact of underlying medical conditions. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2017; 26 239–47.
| Antiepileptic drugs and risk of suicide attempts: a case–control study exploring the impact of underlying medical conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28052554PubMed |

[45]  Feltner DE, Crockatt JG, Dubovsky SJ, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, multicenter study of pregabalin in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003; 23 240–9.
| A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, multicenter study of pregabalin in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12826986PubMed |

[46]  Kasper S, Iglesias-García C, Schweizer E, et al. Pregabalin long-term treatment and assessment of discontinuation in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014; 17 685–95.
| Pregabalin long-term treatment and assessment of discontinuation in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24351233PubMed |

[47]  Pande AC, Crockatt JG, Feltner DE, et al. Pregabalin in generalized anxiety disorder: a placebo-controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2003; 160 533–40.
| Pregabalin in generalized anxiety disorder: a placebo-controlled trial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12611835PubMed |

[48]  Sussex Partnership. Protocol for the management of Pregabalin and Gabapentin use in HMP Lewes United Kingdom: NHS Foundation Trust. Available from: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/M-Protocol_for_Mgmt_of_pregab-gaba_Sussex.pdf.

[49]  Parsons G. Guide to the management of gabapentinoid misuse. Prescriber. 2018; 29 25–30.
| Guide to the management of gabapentinoid misuse.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[50]  Public Health England. Advice for prescribers on the risk of the misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin. United Kingdom: NHS England; 2014.

[51]  Hellwig TR, Hammerquist R, Termaat J. Withdrawal symptoms after gabapentin discontinuation. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010; 67 910–2.
| Withdrawal symptoms after gabapentin discontinuation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20484214PubMed |

[52]  Gahr M, Franke B, Freudenmann RW, et al. Concerns about pregabalin: further experience with its potential of causing addictive behaviors. J Addict Med. 2013; 7 147–9.
| Concerns about pregabalin: further experience with its potential of causing addictive behaviors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23519046PubMed |

[53]  Tran KT, Hranicky D, Lark T, Jacob N. Gabapentin withdrawal syndrome in the presence of a taper. Bipolar Disord. 2005; 7 302–4.
| Gabapentin withdrawal syndrome in the presence of a taper.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15898970PubMed |

[54]  Barrueto F, Green J, Howland MA, et al. Gabapentin withdrawal presenting as status epilepticus. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2002; 40 925–8.
| Gabapentin withdrawal presenting as status epilepticus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12507063PubMed |

[55]  Dominick C, Blyth F, Nicholas M. Patterns of chronic pain in the New Zealand population. N Z Med J. 2011; 124 63–76.
| 21946879PubMed |

[56]  Baxter J, Kingi TK, Tapsell R, Durie M. Māori. In: Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey. Oakley Browne MA, Wells JE, Scott KM. editors. Wellington: Ministry of Health; 2006.

[57]  Devan H, Jones B, Davies C, et al. Are we just dishing out pills constantly to mask their pain? Kaiāwhina Māori health workers’ perspectives on pain management for Māori. N Z Med J. 2021; 134 19–29.
| 34695073PubMed |

[58]  Health Quality and Safety Commission New Zealand. Atlas of Healthcare Variation (Opioids). Wellington: Health Quality and Safety Commission; 2021. [cited 2021 November 17]. Available from: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/health-quality-evaluation/projects/atlas-of-healthcare-variation/opioids/

[59]  Parr JM, Kavanagh DJ, Cahill L, et al. Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine discontinuation: a meta‐analysis. Addiction. 2009; 104 13–24.
| Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine discontinuation: a meta‐analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18983627PubMed |

[60]  Agerwala SM, McCance-Katz EF. Integrating screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into clinical practice settings: a brief review. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2012; 44 307–17.
| Integrating screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into clinical practice settings: a brief review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23210379PubMed |

[61]  Babor TF, McRee BG, Kassebaum PA, et al. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) toward a public health approach to the management of substance abuse. Subst Abus. 2007; 28 7–30.
| Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) toward a public health approach to the management of substance abuse.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18077300PubMed |

[62]  Ministry of Health. Pharmaceutical Collection 2021. Wellington: Ministry of Health; 2021. [cited 2021 November 17]. Available from: https://www.health.govt.nz/nz-health-statistics/national-collections-and-surveys/collections/pharmaceutical-collection