A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who use gabapentinoids for epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and other chronic pain have an increased risk for severe COPD exacerbations. The study involved a population-based cohort and used a time-conditional propensity score-matched, new-user design to assess the risk. Data from computerized health care databases in Quebec, Canada, were used for the study, and the findings support the warnings from regulatory agencies and highlight the importance of considering this potential risk when prescribing gabapentin and pregabalin to patients with COPD. The study also noted several limitations, including potential misclassification of patients with asthma and the inclusion of patients aged 65 years and older.
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Gabapentinoid Use Linked to Risk for Severe COPD Exacerbations
