🚨 New Study Alert: Pregabalin Tied to Higher Heart Failure Risk in Older Adults

A retrospective cohort study has been published in the JAMA Network Open compared the risk of heart failure between new users of pregabalin and gabapentin - two commonly prescribed non-opioid medications for chronic non-cancer pain - in Medicare Beneficiaries aged 65-89.

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Key Findings:

• Higher Heart Failure incidence with Pregabalin.

  • Pregabalin users had a rate of 18.2 HF events per 1,000 person-years versus 12.5 per 1,000 person-years for gabapentin users. That means that overall, pregabalin users were about 48% more likely to develop heart failure than gabapentin users.

• Even Greater Risk in Those with Pre-Existing Cardiovascular Disease.

  • Among the patients with Cardiovascular Disease, taking pregabalin made them about 85% more likely to develop heart failure compared to similar patients taking gabapentin.

• Outpatient HF diagnoses also increased

  • When researchers also counted heart failure diagnosed in outpatient clinics, pregabalin users were about 27% more likely to develop heart failure than gabapentin users.

• No Significant Difference in All-Cause Mortality

  • The study found no significant difference in overall mortality between pregabalin and gabapentin users.

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Additional Insights & Context:

• The study used a target trial emulation design and adjusted for 231 covariates, lending robustness to its comparative analysis.

• Limitations of the study include a predominantly white and female cohort, restricted to those > 65 years, and the lack of data on BMI, smoking status, lifestyle factors, and heart function metrics.

• The American Heart Association already lists pregabalin (but not gabapentin) as a medication potentially capable of causing or worsening heart failure.

• The European Medicines Agency similarly advises caution when prescribing pregabalin to older adults with cardiovascular co-morbidities.

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What This Means for You!

• Look beyond the Symptoms

  • Medications like pregabalin may reduce your nerve pain, but they don't address why the nerve is irritated in the first place. Chiropractic care focuses on finding and correcting the underlying issue - often related with spinal or joint dysfunction - rather than just masking the pain.

• Avoid unnecessary Risks

  • Recent research shows pregabalin can increase the risk of heart problems, especially in older adults. Chiropractic adjustments, exercise advice, and lifestyle recommendations aim to restore proper movement and nerve function without adding strain on your heart.

• Choose Care that supports Your Whole Health

  • Instead of relying on medication long term, chiropractic care works to improve how your body moves and heals naturally. and safer outcomes for your overall health.

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👉 Bottom Line:

• Treating the root cause of your nerve pain through chiropractic care can provide lasting relief, without the risks that come with medications like pregabalin. So if that is your issue maybe consider chiropractic. And if you have any questions reach out and we will chat about how chiropractic might be of benefit to you!