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A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Pregabalin has been associated with infrequent reports of severe respiratory depression, including some cases without the presence of concomitant opioid medicines. Patients with compromised respiratory function, respiratory …
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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 …
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SSRIs and SNRIs are known to increase bleeding risks due to their effect on platelet function. Data from observational studies suggest that the use of SSRI/SNRI antidepressants during the month before delivery may resul…
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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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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.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Monitoring blood concentrations of clozapine (Clozaril, Denzapine, Zaponex) for toxicity is now advised in certain clinical situations. Blood level monitoring of other antipsychotics for toxicity may also be helpful in certa…
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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…
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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 letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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…
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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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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…
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Benzodiazepines and opioids can both cause respiratory depression, which can be fatal if not recognised in time. Only prescribe together if there is no alternative and closely monitor patients for signs of respiratory depres…
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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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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 …
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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).
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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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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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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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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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Cases of pigmentary maculopathy leading to visual impairment have been reported with pentosan polysulfate, particularly after long-term use at high doses. Ensure patients taking pentosan polysulfate have regular ophthalmic e…
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Prescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions in patients taking montelukast and carefully consider the benefits and risks of continuing treatment if they occur.
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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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New data have confirmed that the risk of breast cancer is increased during use of all types of HRT, except vaginal estrogens, and have also shown that an excess risk of breast cancer persists for longer after stopping HRT th…
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Advise patients that naltrexone/bupropion has been associated with adverse reactions such as dizziness or somnolence, which can affect ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform dangerous tasks. Advise patients not…
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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…
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Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels should be measured before starting treatment with tocilizumab and monitored every 4–8 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment followed by every 12 …
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Letters were sent about Myocrisin (sodium aurothiomalate), Cerliponase alfa (Brineura▼), Darzalex▼(daratumumab), retinoids▼, and febuxostat (Adenuric). A recall alert was issued for medicines that were taken out of the regul…
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An alert was issued about Dialog+ haemodialysis machines.
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Diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes on a combination of a GLP-1 receptor agonist and insulin who had doses of concomitant insulin rapidly reduced or discontinued. GLP-1 receptor agonists …
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New prescriber checklists, patient reminder cards, and pharmacy checklists are available to support the Pregnancy Prevention Programme in women taking acitretin, alitretinoin, and isotretinoin. Advice about the risk of neuro…
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Letters were sent about tofacitinib (Xeljanz▼), Trisenox (arsenic trioxide), lapatinib (Tyverb), direct-acting oral anticoagulants, and Lartruvo▼ (olaratumab). Alerts were issued about Epanutin (phenytoin) oral solution, Mac…
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Maternal administration of magnesium sulfate for longer than 5–7 days in pregnancy has been associated with skeletal adverse effects and hypocalcaemia and hypermagnesemia in neonates. If use of magnesium sulfate in pregnancy…
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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).
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We have recently received 2 reports of fatal adverse reactions to the yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril). Due to an increased risk of life-threatening reactions, the vaccine must not be given to anyone with a medical history of…
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Ongoing patient survey data suggest that more effort is needed by clinicians to achieve full and timely compliance with the valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme and meet the goal to rapidly reduce and eventually eliminat…
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Clinical trials, including interim findings from a randomised trial, show an increased risk of depression, suicidal ideation or behaviour, or self-injury in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus receiving belimumab comp…
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As of 1 April 2019, pregabalin and gabapentin are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as Class C substances and scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as Schedule 3. Evaluate patients carefully for a …
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Letters were sent about Xeljanz▼ (tofacitinib), ranitidine, Nulojix (belatacept), fluoroquinolone antibiotics, Genvoya▼, Stribild▼, Tybost, and belimumab (Benlysta▼). Drug alerts were issued about Accord losartan potassium c…