Medicine “Black Box” Increased

The effort to reduce prescription drug-related problems in Tennessee received a boost when the Food and Drug Administration announced it was expanding its boxed warning, commonly referred to as a “Black Box Warning,” to include certain immediate-release pain medicines. The announcement comes after the Tennessee Neonatal Abstinence Working Group petitioned the FDA for the expansion in February, 2016.
Black box warnings provide information about the effects of prescribed medications including potential for addiction, abuse, overdose and death. They can help clinics make better decisions when caring for patients.
“The additional black box warning will bring much-needed support to our efforts across Tennessee to reduce opioid abuse,” said Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner E. Doug Varney. “Combined with the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database now in place to assist clinics with prescribing and dispensing decisions, we have more effective tools to help prevent homes, families and communities from being negatively affected by powerful narcotics.”
If you or someone you care for is in need of substance use treatment, call the TN Redline any time at 1-800-889-9789 for immediate help.