Anti-anxiety drug prescribed to 8mil Brits 'linked to 3,400 deaths in 5 years'
An anti-anxiety drug taken by millions of Brits has been linked to thousands of deaths in the last five years.
Pegabalin is prescribed to about eight million by doctors for anxiety, epilepsy and nerve pain among other ailments. A member of the class of drugs called gabapentinoids, pregabalin was licensed first in 2004 for epilepsy, then for neuropathic or nerve pain. In the past decade, specialists started to prescribe it “off-label” for anxiety.
However several people have complained at getting hooked on it and have claimed it caused them mood swings as well as suicidal thoughts and blurred vision. The MailOnline reported it has been linked to 3,400 deaths in Britain in the last five years, including that of Alex Xottam who suffered a fatal overdose.
He originally had it prescribed to him before a doctor cancelled the order, causing him to buy it and other drugs online. His mother, Michelle, told the Sunday Times: “He had overcome every obstacle that had got in his way, but the pregabalin took such a strong grip on him that he just couldn't see a way out.
“It's such a waste. How many other lives will be affected if they carry on not advising patients that they might become addicted?”
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Writer Miranda Levy previously told the Mirror about her experience taking pregablin when a marriage breakdown led her to develop insomnia. She said in 2020: “The other day I went out for dinner with an old friend. At around 9pm I started to feel queasy and hot. Too soon for food poisoning. Had I drunk my (single) gin and tonic a bit too quickly?
“I stood up to head for the bathroom and was hit by a wave of dizziness. Once in the cubicle, I thought I was going to be sick. Did I have a bug, perhaps? Then I realised: it had to be withdrawal symptoms from my pregabalin.
“I was prescribed this “anti-anxiety” pill by my psychiatrist about four years ago, while suffering from severe insomnia caused by my marriage breakdown. Back then I hadn’t heard of it, but today some experts are calling it “the new Valium” because of the risk of dependency and withdrawal symptoms. Although I have been well for a while, I have been trying to wean myself off the drug for nine months.”
Several doctors have previously warned about pregabalin forsome time. Dr Peter Gordon is a just-retired consultant psychiatrist from the Forth Valley in Scotland and had written about problems with mood-altering drugs for several years. He said: “Pregabalin is prescribed for anxiety despite the NHS knowing about the harmful effects it has had in the US. When it launched, there was heavy marketing from the drugs companies to psychiatrists.”
Glasgow GP Des Spence has also written about pregabalin in his Bad Medicine column in the British Medical Journal. In a 2013 column he said: “There is increasing evidence of concern about the abuse of pregabalin and gabapentin. Increasingly, I confront drug-seeking behaviours. Could it be these seemingly harmless epilepsy drugs are being misused?”
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
