Pregabalin in coronial cases

It would not be lost on anyone involved in overseeing medication safety that pregabalin has achieved a huge increase in use for management of neuropathic pain. Previous research suggests that this medication is often used in combination with other potentially hazardous drugs and has recently been seen as a recreational drug used to produce euphoria and other effects Researchers have analysed the characteristics of 332 coronial cases in one jurisdiction between 2015 and 2017. Pregabalin was identified in approximately 5% of these coronial cases, often concurrently with opioids, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. The cause of death was found to be drug related in 58% of all cases, with mixed drug toxicity specifically mentioned in 40% of cases. It is apparently necessary for prescribers to be reminded that this drug is not innocuous, and indeed if abused the outcome can be lethal. More here