Gabapentinoids, a common class of drugs prescribed for neuropathic and chronic pain, may significantly increase the risk of asthma exacerbations in patients with pre-existing asthma. The claim is part of the recent study, “Gabapentinoids and Risk for Asthma Exacerbations: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study,” published in the journal, Thorax
The study’s findings raise concerns about the respiratory safety of these medications, despite prior warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Researchers analyzed data from a national administrative claims database, comparing new users of gabapentinoids with those prescribed tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). All participants had a history of asthma and chronic or neuropathic pain.
Using overlap propensity score weighting to control for confounding factors, the study assessed the incidence of asthma exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids (primary outcome) and hospitalizations (secondary outcome).
Key findings include:
- In the TCAs cohort, gabapentinoid users had a 46% higher risk of asthma exacerbations requiring corticosteroids and a twofold increase in hospitalizations.
- In the SNRIs cohort, gabapentinoid users had a 24% higher risk of corticosteroid-requiring exacerbations, though the increase in hospitalizations was not statistically significant.
Because the findings suggest that gabapentinoids may pose a heightened risk for respiratory complications in asthma patients, researchers said clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing these drugs to individuals with neuropathic and chronic pain as well as asthma
