FDA to Require Stronger Warnings on Mixing Opioids, Sedatives

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it will be requiring boxed warnings — the agency’s strongest warning — for nearly 400 opioid and benzodiazepine products, which pose serious risks if used together. The FDA said its action follows an extensive review of recent scientific evidence, which showed physicians have been increasingly prescribing opioid painkillers together with benzodiazepines, drugs used to treat anxiety. Combining the two types of drugs has been associated with adverse outcomes, the agency said. Brand name benzodiazepines include Xana...