Doctors and mental health professionals across Kashmir have sounded an alarm over the growing misuse of pregabalin, a prescription drug increasingly being consumed by people with substance dependence.
Medical experts say the trend is fast emerging as a serious public health challenge, with pregabalin—normally prescribed for neuropathic pain, anxiety disorders and epilepsy—being misused for its sedative and euphoric effects.
“We are witnessing a rise in patients misusing pregabalin, particularly those with a history of opioid or substance dependence,” said Dr Aadil Ahmad, Medical Officer at the Addiction Treatment Facility, Shopian. He warned that many falsely believe it to be a safer alternative to narcotics.
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Doctors cautioned that unsupervised and prolonged use can lead to dependence, severe withdrawal symptoms, memory issues, dizziness and even respiratory depression, especially when combined with other substances.
Another expert, Dr Abbas Ahmad, said addicts often use pregabalin to manage withdrawal symptoms or recreate a high, while easy availability has triggered relapses among recovering users. He flagged the sale without valid prescriptions as a major loophole.
Doctors urged the government, drug control department and law enforcement agencies to strictly regulate its sale, conduct regular pharmacy inspections and ensure support for those attempting to rebuild their lives after addiction.
Meanwhile, officials said the Deputy Commissioner Shopian, along with the drug controller department, has restricted the sale of pregabalin in the district. Medical shop owners have been directed to install CCTV cameras and maintain photocopies of prescriptions for pregabalin and other NRX drugs, steps that have helped curb illegal access to some extent, officials said. (KNO)
