Baltimore health Commissioner: New FDA labeling requirement can save lives (The Hill)

Friday Sep 2nd, 2016

By Leana S. Wen

If my patient were in a car accident and experiencing neck pain, I might have prescribed an opioid — such as Percocet or Vicodin — for the pain, and a benzodiazepine — such as Xanax or Valium — to help treat muscle spasms. I might have prescribed to someone who is on benzodiazepines for their anxiety disorder an opioid for pain relief; and vice versa.

As an emergency physician, I have seen how often patients are prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines together. This is not based on any scientific efficacy, but common clinical practice. This is not done out of bad intention, but routine and habit.

Either one of these medications, when used in excess, can cause slowed breathing and sleepiness, leading to loss of consciousness and death. When used together, opioids and benzodiazepines are an especially deadly combination, increasing the likelihood of a fatal overdose.

As a public health official, I have noted an alarming trend: nearly one in three unintentional overdose deaths in the U.S. from prescription opioids also involve benzodiazepines.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/294292-baltimore-health...

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