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Cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions, including Stevens-Johnsons syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have been reported in patients treated with immune-stimulatory anti-cancer drugs, including atezoli…
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Addition of a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based laxative to a liquid that has been thickened with a starch-based thickener may counteract the thickening action, placing patients with dysphagia at a greater risk of aspiration.
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A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Erythromycin has been associated with events secondary to QT interval prolongation such as cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation. Erythromycin should not be given to patients with a history of QT interval prolongation…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Monitor serum phosphate levels in patients treated with multiple high-dose administrations, or those on long-term treatment, and in those with pre-existing risk factors for hypophosphataemia. Re-evaluate ferric carboxymaltos…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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…
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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…
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Guidance has been published on monitoring of patients on warfarin and other anticoagulants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals, including recommendations to reduce handling errors with leuprorelin-containing depot medicines.
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A summary of Medical Device Alerts recently issued by the MHRA.
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We have introduced pack size restrictions, revised recommended ages for use, and new safety warnings for over-the-counter stimulant laxatives (orally and rectally administered) following a national safety review. Advise pati…
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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…
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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…
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Remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of bleeding complications during treatment with DOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban), especially in patients with increased bleeding risks. Specific reversal agents are a…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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…
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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…
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Letters were sent on Typhim Vi vaccines, Mepact (mifamurtide), and Xeljanz (tofacitinib) and an alert issued to recall Emerade 150 microgram adrenaline pens.
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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.
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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…
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Letters were sent about methotrexate, modafinil, Ecalta, Picato, Nexplanon, valproate medicines, e-cigarettes, and Lemtrada. Alerts were issued about finasteride, codeine/paracetamol, and Picato.
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Alerts were issued about Convex two-piece skin barriers for use with ostomy bags and HeartStart XL+ defibrillators. A notice was also issued following reports of falsely depressed creatinine results for patients on phenindio…
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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.
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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…
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Letters were sent about Insuman insulin products, mecasermin, and valproate medicines. Recalls were issued about ranitidine medicines and Paclitaxel.
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Alerts were issued about Arrow EZ-IO intraosseous vascular access needle sets, Medicina IV Luer Slip syringes, and Spectra Optia apheresis systems.
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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.
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Domperidone is no longer licensed for use in children younger than 12 years or those weighing less than 35 kg. Results from a placebo-controlled study in children younger than 12 years with acute gastroenteritis did not show…
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Establish hepatitis B status before initiating carfilzomib and in patients with unknown hepatitis B virus serology who are already being treated with carfilzomib.
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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…
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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 issued …
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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.
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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…
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For most patients and most medicines, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is an appropriate measure of renal function for determining dosage adjustments in renal impairment; however, in some circumstances, the Cockcr…
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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.
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Alerts were issued about T34 ambulatory syringe pumps, Gripper needles, and 1-day Acuvue Moist for astigmatism contact lenses.
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A letter was sent to advise healthcare professionals about a restriction to the indication and route of administration for Mitomycin-C Kyowa 40 mg following the observation of increased sub-visible particles in the drug prod…
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Establish hepatitis B virus status before initiating daratumumab and in patients with unknown hepatitis B virus serology who are already being treated with daratumumab.
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Anti-cancer therapy with carfilzomib has been associated with cases of cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, and myocardial infarction, including in patients without pre-existing cardiac disorders. Monitor patients for signs and …
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Letters were sent about Oncaspar▼ (pegaspargase), Ketalar (ketamine) injection, and Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium). A recall was issued for several medicines taken out of the regulated medicines supply chain, includin…