Prescription drug dependence on rise with highest rates in women and older adults

The NHS needs to take action to protect patients as the number of prescriptions for antidepressants and pain medications are rising, according to a Public Health England report. The first-ever evidence review of dependence and withdrawal problems associated with five commonly prescribed classes of medicines in England assessed the scale and distribution of prescribed medicines and makes recommendations for better monitoring, treatment and support for patients.  The five classes of drugs included in the review are benzodiazepines (mainly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia), Z-drugs (insomnia), gabapentinoids (neuropathic pain), opioid pain medications (for chronic non-cancer pain such as low back pain and injury-related and degenerative joint disease)