Deaths from addictive painkillers have almost doubled in a decade as trends in Britain follow “alarming” US patterns, new research shows.

A study led by University College London Hospital shows a sharp rise in prescribing of opoid drugs, despite repeated warnings that the drugs should not be given for long periods because of their addictive qualities.

Last month ministers ordered a landmark review of prescription drug addiction, amid concern over the rising number of women becoming hooked on painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants.

They said decisive action was needed to stop the problem reaching the scale now seen across the United States. Two thirds of those on “dependence forming medicines” are female, and typically in their 50s and 60s, separate data shows.

The new research, published in the British Journal of General Practice, shows a sharp increase in deaths attributed to opoids, over a 10 year period. The figures, comparing trends in the decade ending 2011 show almost 900 such deaths, compared with almost 500 in 2001.

Researchers tracked prescribing of the most common opoids, used for chronic pain, as well as for cancer pain and showed a rise in prescriptions of six in eight drugs.

The scientists said separate research suggests just 12 per cent of such medication is for cancer pain, with the remainder being used for more “contentious” purposes.