FDA requires boxed warnings on opioids, benzodiazepine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will require boxed warnings for prescription opioid analgesics, opioid-containing cough products, and benzodiazepines.

Nearly 400 drug products will be required to carry the new warning labels, which will also include information on the serious risks associated with using these kinds of medications at the same time, according to the August 31 announcement. Possible side effects include extreme sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma, and death.