-
Tapentadol may increase seizure risk in patients taking other medicines that lower seizure threshold, for example, antidepressants and antipsychotics.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
Patients on ipilimumab who present with diarrhoea or other symptoms of colitis, and those who do not respond to steroid treatment for immune-related colitis, should be investigated to exclude other causes, including infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV).
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 3 others
-
The Yellow Card App has been updated to make it easier to use, to have useful new features, and to support reporting a suspected reaction related to medicine exposure during pregnancy.
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In December 2018, a letter was sent to notify healthcare professionals of the discontinuation of Zovirax (Aciclovir) eye ointment.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 3 others
-
A notice was issued by Allergan about the availability of textured breast implants in the UK.
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Although use of valproate medicines in female patients continues to slowly decline, there is wide variation in prescribing between Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 5 others
-
Warnings about the risk of severe and fatal burns are being extended to all paraffin-based emollients regardless of paraffin concentration.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 4 others
-
Monitor glucose levels closely in patients with diabetes during direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, particularly within the first 3 months of treatment, and modify diabetes medication or doses when necessary.
- Therapeutic area:
- Endocrinology, diabetology and metabolism and 2 others
-
Risk of insufficient cortisol absorption and life-threatening adrenal crisis if muco-adhesive buccal tablets are used as adrenal replacement therapy.
- Therapeutic area:
- Endocrinology, diabetology and metabolism and 1 others
-
A pharmacy-level recall of some valsartan-containing products took place due to possible contamination, including advice to healthcare professionals and information on supply.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 3 others
-
Alerts were issued about ConvaTec Suction catheters, gastro-enteral tubes, intermittent urology catheters and sterile urine drainage bags, CME T34 ambulatory syringe pumps, and HeartStart MRx monitor/defibrillators.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 3 others
-
Oral lidocaine-containing products for infant teething are only to be available under the supervision of a pharmacist so that parents and caregivers can receive guidance about managing infant teething symptoms.
- Therapeutic area:
- Dentistry and 1 others
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Advise patients taking hydrochlorothiazide-containing products of the cumulative, dose-dependent risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly in long-term use, and the need to regularly check for (and report) any suspicious skin lesions or moles.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 3 others
-
In patients at risk for aortic aneurysm and dissection, fluoroquinolones should only be used after careful assessment of the benefits and risks and after consideration of other therapeutic options.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 2 others
-
Sildenafil is not authorised for use in pregnancy for the treatment of intrauterine growth restriction.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 4 others
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Reporting suspected adverse drug reactions to the Yellow Card Scheme helps to support the safe use of medicines in babies, children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Therapeutic area:
- Obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility and 1 others
-
Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Jext adrenaline autoinjectors, rivaroxaban, Ozurdex 700 micrograms intravitreal implant, sildenafil, hydrochlorothiazide, and Epilim Chronosphere (sodium valproate).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 13 others
-
An alert was recently issued by MHRA about CoaguChek Test Strips for Point of Care and Home Use due to a risk of false high results.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 2 others
-
Rivaroxaban treatment in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) should be stopped and switched to standard of care.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 1 others
-
Monitor thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients treated with levothyroxine for at least the first month after starting and ending ritonavir treatment.
- Therapeutic area:
- Endocrinology, diabetology and metabolism and 2 others
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Interrupt treatment if posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is confirmed and resume treatment only once the event is resolved and the benefit of continued treatment outweighs the risk of PRES.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
Provide clear information to patients and caregivers about how to minimise the risk of accidental exposure and the importance of appropriate disposal of patches.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 3 others
-
A supply disruption alert was issued by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) on EpiPen and EpiPen Junior; see MHRA advice on extension of use beyond the expiry date for certain batches of EpiPen 300 microgram adrenaline autoinjectors.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 8 others
-
Alerts were recently issued by MHRA about flex connectors in Halyard closed suction kits; SureSigns VS & VM patient monitors and viewing stations; and Zimmer Biomet trauma guide wires.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 5 others
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Valproate medicines must not be used in women of childbearing potential unless the Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
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Now only authorised for use in patients with symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastases who have had 2 previous systemic treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer or who cannot receive other systemic treatments.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
Monitoring for encephalitis should continue for 12 months following discontinuation of daclizumab.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 3 others
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Advise patients and their caregivers to seek urgent medical attention if any signs or symptoms of communicating hydrocephalus develop during nusinersen therapy for spinal muscular atrophy.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 2 others
-
Letters were sent about daclizumab beta (Zinbryta▼), alteplase (Actilyse), Esmya (ulipristal acetate), and Xofigo▼ (radium-223-dichloride).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 12 others
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More than one treatment course is authorised only in women who are not eligible for surgery, and liver function monitoring is to be carried out in all women treated with Esmya.
- Therapeutic area:
- GI, hepatology and pancreatic disorders and 1 others
-
Letters were sent about valproate medicines, atezolizumab (Tecentriq▼), and nusinersen (Spinraza▼).
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 12 others
-
Alerts were recently issued about Novaline haemodialysis bloodlines used with Baxter/Gambro haemodialysis machines and Alaris and Asena enteral syringe pumps
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 5 others
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New pharmacokinetic data show mean exposure of darunavir (brand name Prezista) boosted with cobicistat (available in combination in Rezolsta▼, Symtuza▼) to be lower during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy than during 6–12 weeks postpartum.
- Therapeutic area:
- Immunosuppression and transplantation and 3 others
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Remind patients to check and remove the mouthpiece cover properly before inhaling a dose and to shake the inhaler to remove loose objects that may have become trapped in the inhaler during storage.
- Therapeutic area:
- Paediatrics and neonatology and 1 others
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If bilirubin and/or creatinine test results are inconsistent with clinical observations, request re-testing using another method to determine the validity of the result.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 4 others
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Following receipt of a third case of fatal medication error caused by the administration of Fungizone (a non-lipid-based formulation of amphotericin B) instead of a lipid-based formulation (AmBisome, Abelcet), we remind healthcare professionals that these formulations are not interchangeable.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 2 others
-
Report to the Yellow Card Scheme suspected adverse reactions associated with medicines taken during pregnancy experienced by women or the baby or child.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 22 others
-
Letters were sent about Cetrotide (cetrorelix acetate), Eperzan▼(albiglutide), darunavir/cobicistat, Keytruda▼ (pembrolizumab), Denzapine (clozapine) 50 mg/mL oral suspension, and Bleo-Kyowa (bleomycin sulphate).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 9 others
-
Alerts were recently issued by MHRA about Smiths Medical medication cassette reservoirs, Alaris Smartsite add-on bag access devices, and Combur10 Test UX and Chemstrip 10 A urinalysis test strips.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 3 others
-
New safety recommendations have been issued while an EU review evaluates cases of neural tube defects in babies born to mothers who became pregnant while taking the HIV medicine dolutegravir.
- Therapeutic area:
- Infectious disease and 2 others
-
Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypercalcaemia after discontinuation of denosumab treatment for giant cell tumour of bone.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
A pooled analysis has shown an increased rate of new primary malignancies in patients given Xgeva (1-year cumulative incidence 1.1%) compared with those given zoledronic acid (0.6%), when used in the indication of the prevention of skeletal-related events with advanced malignancies involving bone.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 1 others
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Letters were sent about azithromycin, Lynparza▼(Olaparib), Xgeva▼ (denosumab), Lymphoseek (tilmanocept), ReoPro (abciximab) and dolutegravir; you still have time to complete a quick survey to tell us your views on the way medicines safety issues are communicated.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 6 others
-
An alert was recently issued by MHRA on JM103 and JM105 Jaundice Meters.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 2 others
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Use materials online now and hardcopies arriving over the coming weeks by post to ensure women and girls of childbearing potential on valproate medicines meet the requirements of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
Train patients to place the Braltus capsule in the correct chamber of the Zonda inhaler.
- Therapeutic area:
- Respiratory disease and allergy
-
Letters were sent about insulin Fiasp and Tresiba and Inhixa (enoxaparin sodium); use survey to feedback your thoughts on Direct Healthcare Professional Communications (DHPCs) and on the way medicines safety issues are communicated.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 3 others
-
An alert was issued recently about Accu-Chek Aviva, Accu-Chek Performa, and Accu-Chek Inform II test strips – risk of strip error messages and false high and low blood glucose results.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 5 others
-
Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 4 others
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We are aware of reports of serious liver injuries and deaths in patients with primary biliary cholangitis with pre-existing moderate or severe liver impairment who were not adequately dose-adjusted.
- Therapeutic area:
- GI, hepatology and pancreatic disorders
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