Story perspectives

Study Links Gabapentinoids to Increased Drug Poisoning Risks

4/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

A study in PLOS Medicine finds gabapentinoid painkillers, including gabapentin and pregabalin, raise the risk of drug interactions.
Benzodiazepines with gabapentinoids double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning.
Opioids with gabapentinoids raise the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning by 30%.
The United Kingdom study covered nearly 17,000 individuals hospitalized for drug poisoning.
Researchers caution gabapentinoids may be prescribed to mitigate opioid or benzodiazepine risks, but causation remains unclear.

1 of 1

Story summary

A study in PLOS Medicine finds gabapentinoid painkillers, including gabapentin and pregabalin, raise the risk of drug interactions.
Benzodiazepines with gabapentinoids double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning.
Opioids with gabapentinoids raise the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning by 30%.
The United Kingdom study covered nearly 17,000 individuals hospitalized for drug poisoning.
Researchers caution gabapentinoids may be prescribed to mitigate opioid or benzodiazepine risks, but causation remains unclear.