'Black box' FDA warning urged for opioid and benzodiazepine combo

Monday Feb 22nd, 2016

Public health officials are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use its strongest safety warning for the risks of combining pain relievers with anti-anxiety medications, which they say is contributing to the sharp rise in overdose deaths. 

The heads of 41 city and state health departments havesigned a petition (PDF) submitted to the FDA Monday calling for the agency to include a “black box warning” label for opioids and benzodiazepines to inform the public on the risks of using the medications concurrently. 

The effort is led by Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. They urge healthcare providers not to wait for the FDA to take action.

Read more at: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160222/NEWS/160229992

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