Camilla Jessen
Prescribed drugs given tougher dependence warnings.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has ordered tougher addiction warnings for several widely used prescription drugs, including gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines and so-called z-drugs.
Patients prescribed these medicines will now receive updated information leaflets warning that the drugs “may cause addiction, dependence, and withdrawal reactions.”
The leaflets will also include guidance on recognizing dependency and reducing doses safely.
The MHRA said the move followed a detailed safety review that concluded existing warnings were not strong enough.
Who is affected
Gabapentinoids, which include pregabalin and gabapentin, are prescribed for conditions such as nerve pain and epilepsy.
NHS figures cited by the Daily Mail show that around 4.5 million people in the UK were prescribed gabapentinoids in 2022–23, with roughly 800,000 taking pregabalin daily for pain relief.
Other drugs affected include benzodiazepines, commonly used for anxiety and sleep disorders. These include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam, clobazam, temazepam and nitrazepam.
Z-drugs such as zopiclone, zolpidem and eszopiclone, which are prescribed for insomnia, are also covered by the new warnings.
Regulator’s warning
Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA’s chief safety officer, said addiction can affect anyone, even when medicines are taken exactly as prescribed.
“Addiction and dependency can happen to anyone taking these medicines, even when used as directed,” she said. “That’s why we are strengthening warnings so patients and healthcare professionals can better understand the risks.”
She stressed that the drugs remain important treatments and warned patients not to stop taking them suddenly without medical advice.
Advice to patients
Health officials say patients should speak to a healthcare professional if they have concerns about side effects or dependency. Abruptly stopping these medicines can trigger withdrawal symptoms.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that doses should be reduced gradually under medical supervision to minimise risks.
Regulators say the updated warnings aim to help patients use these medicines more safely, not to alarm those who rely on them.
Sources: MHRA, NHS, NICE, Daily Mail
