A growing number of deaths in the UK have been linked to the misuse of pregabalin, a drug used to treat pain, anxiety and epilepsy, reports The Guardian. In 2012 there were four deaths linked to it and last year this rose to a 111. It comes after claims that the drug has flooded the black market and is being sold illegally to addicts who mix it with other drugs, such as heroin. This can increase the risk of heart failure.
The report says the UK government is about to start a consultation on pregabalin control, which could result in it being categorised as a Class C drug. Last year a letter from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs sent to the government discussed the potential harms associated with the misuse of the drug.
[link url="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/sep/14/have-you-been-affected-by-the-misuse-of-pregabalin-in-the-uk"]The Guardian report[/link]