Study Reveals Increased Risk of Hip Fractures Linked to Gabapentinoid Use

A study published in *JAMA Network Open* investigated the risks associated with the use of gabapentinoids, medications often prescribed for neuropathic pain, particularly as alternatives to opioids. **The research tracked 28,293 patients hospitalized for hip fractures in Victoria, Australia, from March 2013 through June 2018, revealing a 30% increased risk of hip fractures within two months of gabapentinoid dispensation.** Gabapentinoids have become one of the ten most subsidized medications in Australia due to their perceived safety over opioids, with their use increasing eightfold between 2012 and 2018. However, alongside their benefits, gabapentinoids can lead to adverse effects like dizziness and balance disorders, posing a risk of falls and subsequent fractures. **The study found that the risk of hip fractures was noticeably higher among frail patients and those with chronic kidney disease.** Lead author Miriam Leung and co-author Professor Simon Bell highlighted the critical need for assessing each patient's fall risk and the appropriate use of these drugs, especially in vulnerable populations. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of different dosages and the presence of conditions such as Parkinson's disease. This research collaboration, supported by the Dementia Australia Research Foundation's Yulgilbar Innovation Grant, involved the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS) at Monash University, Austin Health, and Harvard Medical School.