Gabapentinoids (Pregabalin/Gabapentin), Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs

At MVMG, we are committed to ensuring that we prescribe medications in a way that is safe, appropriate and effective.

These medications are recognised to carry risks of addiction, dependence and withdrawal reactions, so we have written this information to help you to understand these risks and how we can support you to use these medications safely if needed. 

Before starting treatment with these medicines, your healthcare professional should explain how long you might need to take them for, and how to stop safely. This helps reduce the risk of addiction, dependence, and drug withdrawal syndrome.

 

What is dependence?

Anyone can become physically dependent on these medicines, meaning that their body gets used to it, and this can cause them to have withdrawal symptoms if the medicine is suddenly stopped, or the dose is reduced.

 

What is addiction?

Drug addiction can feel like a strong desire to take the medicine, and difficulties in controlling medicine use (for example feeling like you want to take more or use the medicine when you shouldn’t).

Addiction and dependence are related but they are not the same, being physically dependent on a medicine does not necessarily mean you are addicted to it.

 

What is tolerance?

Drug tolerance can mean no longer feeling like the medicine is working well, or feeling that a higher dose is required to achieve the same symptom relief as before.

What should I do if I want to stop taking one of these medications?

If you want to stop taking your medicine there are additional resources below to help you.

Never stop taking your medication without asking a healthcare professional first.

If you are taking this medicine for epilepsy, you should keep taking it for as long as your doctor says it’s needed.

If you find that your treatment is not working as well, please contact us via eConsult to arrange an appointment to discuss possible alternative treatment options.  You should never take more of your medicine than you have been prescribed without consulting a health professional.

When it is time to stop your medication, we can advise you on how to gradually reduce the amount of medicine you are taking over time (known as dose tapering). This is very important to reduce the risk of drug withdrawal syndrome. Dose tapering can sometimes take weeks or months. Mild symptoms may still occur, but we can review the dose tapering plan if the withdrawal symptoms become intolerable.

 

Additional resources: