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References

 

 

1.       British National Formulary. Gabapentin. 2025. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/gabapentin/. Accessed August 2025.

2.       Electronic Medicines Compendium. SPC: Gabapentin 300mg capsules. 2019. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2361/smpc. Accessed May 2025.

3.       British National Formulary. Pregabalin. 2025. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/pregabalin/. Accessed August 2025.

4.       Electronic Medicines Compendium. SPC: Pregabalin 150mg Capsules. 2017. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/30924. Accessed May 2025.

5.       Electronic Medicines Compendium. SPC: Gabapentin 100mg capsules. 2019. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/26529. Accessed May 2025.

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11.      National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59). 2016. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59. Accessed November 2025.

12.      Enke O, New HA, New CH et al. Anticonvulsants in the treatment of low back pain and lumbar radicular pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cmaj. 2018;190(26):E786–e793.

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14.      Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Pregabalin (Lyrica), gabapentin (Neurontin) and risk of abuse and dependence: new scheduling requirements from 1 April. 2019. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/pregabalin-lyrica-gabapentin-neurontin-and-risk-of-abuse-and-dependence-new-scheduling-requirements-from-1-april. Accessed February 2025.

15.      Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Pregabalin (Lyrica): reports of severe respiratory depression. 2021. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/pregabalin-lyrica-reports-of-severe-respiratory-depression. Accessed February 2025.

16.      Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Gabapentin (Neurontin): risk of severe respiratory depression. 2017. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/gabapentin-neurontin-risk-of-severe-respiratory-depression. Accessed February 2025.

17.      Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Improving Information Supplied with Gabapentinoids (Pregabalin/Gabapentin), Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs. 2026. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/improving-information-supplied-with-gabapentinoids-pregabalin-slash-gabapentin-benzodiazepines-and-z-drugs?utm_source=Royal%20Pharmaceutical%20Society&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=15319073_Drug%20Safety%20Update%3A%20Improving%20Information%20Supplied%20with%20Gabapentinoids%20%28Pregabalin%2FGabapentin%29%2C%20Benzodiazepines%20and%20Z-Drugs&utm_content=gov.uk%202&dm_i=EQ,94C9T,6137M4,126V9J,1. Accessed January 2026.

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19.      Hall TD, Shah S, Ng B et al. Changes in mood, depression and suicidal ideation after commencing pregabalin for neuropathic pain. Aust Fam Physician. 2014;43(10):705–708.

20.      Psychopharmacology Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and British Association for Psychopharmacology. Gabapentinoids in psychiatric practice: Balancing the risks and benefits. 2025. Available at: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/improving-care/campaigning-for-better-mental-health-policy/position-statements/2025-position-statements/gabapentinoids-in-psychiatric-practice-(ps03-25). Accessed November 2025.

21.      Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Pregabalin (Lyrica): findings of safety study on risks during pregnancy. 2022. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/pregabalin-lyrica-findings-of-safety-study-on-risks-during-pregnancy. Accessed May 2025.

22.      National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain. 2021. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng193/. Accessed February 2025.

23.      Office for National Statistics. Deaths related to drug poisoning by selected substances. 2023. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/2023registrations#drug-poisonings-from-selected-substances. Accessed February 2025.

24.      Electronic Medicines Compendium. SPC: Neurontin 100mg Hard Capsules. 2019. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/158. Accessed May 2025.

25.      Electronic Medicines Compendium. SPC: Lyrica Capsules. 2019. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/14651. Accessed May 2025.

26.      Electronic Medicines Compendium. SPC: Alzain 100 mg Capsules, Hard. 2019. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/30054. Accessed May 2025.

27.      Kapil V, Green JL, Le Lait MC et al. Misuse of the γ-aminobutyric acid analogues baclofen, gabapentin and pregabalin in the UK. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2014(1365-2125 (Electronic)).

28.      Evoy KE, Morrison MD, and Saklad SR. Abuse and Misuse of Pregabalin and Gabapentin. 2017(1179-1950 (Electronic)).

29.      Clinical Guidelines on Drug Misuse and Dependence Update 2017 Independent Expert Working Group. Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management. 2017. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/673978/clinical_guidelines_2017.pdf. Accessed May 2025.

30.      Welsh Government. Welsh Health Circular. Advice for prescribers on the risk of the misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin. 2016. Available at: https://gov.wales/prescribing-guidance-pregabalin-and-gabapentin-whc2016030. Accessed May 2025.

31.      Public Health England, and NHS England. Advice for prescribers on the risk of the misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin. 2014. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/385791/PHE-NHS_England_pregabalin_and_gabapentin_advice_Dec_2014.pdf. Accessed May 2025.

32.      Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Pregabalin and Gabapentin advice. 2016. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491854/ACMD_Advice_-_Pregabalin_and_gabapentin.pdf. Accessed May 2025.

33.      Faculty of Pain Medicine. Driving and Pain: Guidance for Faculty of Pain Medicine Members. 2019. Available at: https://www.fpm.ac.uk/sites/fpm/files/documents/2019-07/FPM-Driving-and-Pain-members-information.pdf. Accessed November 2025.

34.      UK Government. Drugs and driving: the law. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law. Accessed November 2025.

35.      Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Assessing fitness to drive: a guide for medical professionals. 2016. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals. Accessed November 2025.

36.      Live Well with Pain. Ask yourself six questions. 2025. Available at: https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/resource/ask-yourself-six-questions/. Accessed May 2025.

37.      All Wales Medicines Strategy Group. Resources for pharmacological management of pain. 2023. Available at: https://awttc.nhs.wales/medicines-optimisation-and-safety/medicines-optimisation-guidance-resources-and-data/prescribing-guidance/resources-for-pharmacological-management-of-pain/. Accessed November 2025.

38.      Soliman N, Moisset X, Ferraro MC et al. Pharmacotherapy and non-invasive neuromodulation for neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Neurology. 2025;24(5):413–428. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(25)00068-7. Accessed 2026/01/27.

39.      Welsh Government. Living with persistent pain in Wales. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.wales/people-experiencing-persistent-pain-guidance. Accessed November 2025.

40.      Moore RA, Straube S, Wiffen PJ et al. Pregabalin for acute and chronic pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009(3):Cd007076.

41.      Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S et al. Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;2014(4):Cd007938.

42.      Finnerup NB, Attal N, Haroutounian S et al. Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 2015;14(2):162–173.

43.      National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Clinical Knowledge Summaries: Neuropathic pain - drug treatment: Gabapentin. 2025. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neuropathic-pain-drug-treatment/prescribing-information/gabapentin/. Accessed November 2025.

44.      National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Clinical Knowledge Summaries: Neuropathic pain - drug treatment: Pregabalin. 2025. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neuropathic-pain-drug-treatment/prescribing-information/pregabalin/. Accessed November 2025.

45.      General Medical Council. Decision making and consent. 2020. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/decision-making-and-consent. Accessed January 2026.

46.      National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NG215: Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adults. 2022. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng215. Accessed January 2026.

 
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