-
A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
-
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor…
-
A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
-
A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Periodically perform skin examinations in patients on bendamustine-containing regimens and consider PML in the differential diagnosis for patients on bendamustine with new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioural…
-
The indication of ulipristal acetate 5mg for uterine fibroids has been further restricted due to the risk of serious liver injury and liver failure, with some cases requiring liver transplantation. Although the temporary sus…
-
When children receiving replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency are being switched from hydrocortisone tablets to Alkindi granules, parents or carers should be informed of the need to be extra vigilant for symptoms of …
-
Information on the newly launched Safer Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Consortium and a new report on optimising data on medicines used during pregnancy.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Patients with complete or partial dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency are at increased risk of severe and fatal toxicity during treatment with these medicines. All patients should be tested for DPD deficiency be…
-
Increase the frequency of blood pressure monitoring to at least weekly for the first 2 months, and then monitor monthly for the first year and periodically thereafter during treatment, following recent reports of onset of se…
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
In autoimmune conditions and some cancer therapies, methotrexate should be taken once a week; however, we continue to receive reports of inadvertent overdose due to more frequent dosing (including daily administration). New …
-
Cutaneous amyloidosis at the injection site has been reported in patients using insulin and this may affect glycaemic control. Remind patients to rotate injection sites within the same body region.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Evaluate a patient’s individual factors for benefits and risks before initiating treatment with denosumab 60mg, particularly in those with previous vertebral fracture. Patients should not stop denosumab without specialist re…
-
Use baricitinib with caution in patients with diverticular disease and in those concomitantly treated with medications associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals, including recommendations to reduce handling errors with leuprorelin-containing depot medicines.
-
Before initiating systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors, carefully consider the risk of aneurysm and artery dissection in patients with risk factors. In patients who receive a systemic VEGF pa…
-
Make a clear distinction between liposomal, pegylated-liposomal, lipid-complex and conventional formulations when prescribing, dispensing, administering, and communicating about these medicines. Medicines with these formulat…
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Risk of meningioma with cyproterone acetate increases with increasing cumulative dose. Use of cyproterone is contraindicated in patients with previous or current meningioma (for all indications) and should only be considered…
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Guidance has been published to support initiation of valproate in female patients and for annual review and pregnancy testing during the coronavirus pandemic.
-
Guidance has been published about thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide and the use of remote consultations and home pregnancy testing for patients taking them during COVID-19.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Contact patients currently taking Esmya for uterine fibroids as soon as possible and advise them to stop their treatment. The licence for Esmya has been suspended to protect public health while a safety review is conducted f…
-
Caution should be used in patients with known risk factors for venous thromboembolism in addition to the underlying disease. Patients older than 65 years of age are at an increased risk of serious infections and should be tr…
-
Discontinue baricitinib treatment permanently if clinical features of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occur. Prescribers are reminded to use caution if using baricitinib in patients with risk factors for deep vein…
-
SGLT2 inhibitor treatment should be interrupted in patients who are hospitalised for major surgical procedures or acute serious medical illnesses and ketone levels measured, preferably in blood rather than urine. Treatment m…
-
Letters were sent on Typhim Vi vaccines, Mepact (mifamurtide), and Xeljanz (tofacitinib) and an alert issued to recall Emerade 150 microgram adrenaline pens.
-
Alerts were issued about CME T34 and T34L (T60) ambulatory syringe pumps, Cardinal Health tympanic thermometers, t:slim X2 insulin pump, and Mavidon skin preparation electrode gels.
-
Stop prescribing Picato and consider other treatment options for actinic keratosis as appropriate. The licence of ingenol mebutate (Picato) has been suspended as a precautionary measure while the European Medicines Agency (E…
-
In January 2020, healthcare professionals received updated educational materials to support the valproate pregnancy prevention programme. Valproate is contraindicated in girls and women of childbearing potential, unless the …
-
Amended advice on the insertion site for Nexplanon contraceptive implants following concerns regarding reports of neurovascular injury and implants migrating to the vasculature (including the pulmonary artery).
-
Letters were sent about methotrexate, modafinil, Ecalta, Picato, Nexplanon, valproate medicines, e-cigarettes, and Lemtrada. Alerts were issued about finasteride, codeine/paracetamol, and Picato.
-
Recent epidemiological studies suggest exposure to ondansetron during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a small increased risk of the baby having a cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
-
Cases of benign and malignant neoplasms have been observed among children and adolescents who received treatment with mecasermin. Do not use mecasermin in children or adolescents with active or suspected neoplasia or with an…
-
Letters were sent about Insuman insulin products, mecasermin, and valproate medicines. Recalls were issued about ranitidine medicines and Paclitaxel.
-
Letters were sent about ranibizumab and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors. Alerts were issued about ranitidine, paracetamol, omeprazole, mitomycin-C Kyowa, folic acid, and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors.
-
Establish hepatitis B status before initiating carfilzomib and in patients with unknown hepatitis B virus serology who are already being treated with carfilzomib.
-
Letters were sent about quadrivalent influenza vaccine, fentanyl ampoules, and Volibris (ambrisentan), and a number of pharmacy-level recalls were issued for ranitidine-containing products. Other alerts issued in October 201…
-
Alerts were issued about Rocket and NuSurgix fetal blood sampling (FBS) amnioscopes and kits, Philips Efficia professional-use defibrillators/monitors, and CME T-34 3rd edition syringe driver pumps. A notice was also is…
-
Advise patients treated with ingenol mebutate gel to be vigilant for new skin lesions and to seek medical advice immediately should any occur. Use with caution in patients with a history of skin cancer.
-
Patients on nivolumab 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 infection…
-
Letters were issued about parenteral nutrition products, ranibizumab, ingenol mebutate gel, adrenaline auto-injectors, and fingolimod. Recall alerts were recently issued about ranitidine, aripiprazole, and bisacodyl.
-
Alerts were issued about T34 ambulatory syringe pumps, Gripper needles, and 1-day Acuvue Moist for astigmatism contact lenses.