Pregabalin misuse-related ambulance attendances in Victoria, 2012-2017: characteristics of patients and attendances

Investigators: Dr Rose Crossin, Dr Debbie Scott, Dr Shalini Arunogiri, Associate/Professor Karen Smith, Professor Paul Dietze and Professor Dan Lubman.

The study found that the rate of pregabalin-related ambulance call-outs has increased tenfold since 2012. This increase is associated with an increase in the national prescription rate, including an increase in the off-label prescription rate. The study also revealed that co-use with other sedatives was common and called for greater care when prescribing pregabalin.

Media

The Conversation - Ambulance call-outs for pregabalin have spiked – here’s why’

Featured publication

Crossin, R, Scott, D, Arunogiri, S, Smith, K, Dietze, P & Lubman, D. 2019. Pregabalin misuse-related ambulance attendances in Victoria, 2012-2017: characteristics of patients and attendances. Medical Journal of Australia, 210 (2), 75-79. 10.5694/mja2.12036

Project partners

A collaboration between Turning Point, Burnet Institute, MARC and theSchool of Primary and Allied Health Care.