-
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 review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Kep…
-
The monitoring requirements and discontinuation criteria for dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) have been strengthened following a small number of reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with mild …
-
Liver monitoring requirements and discontinuation criteria for fingolimod have been updated following reports of serious liver injury. Fatal cases of encephalitis and meningitis caused by herpes simplex and varicella zoster …
-
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…
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Updates have been made to the magnitude of the known risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis following exposure to erythromycin in infancy as a result of new epidemiological data. The risk is particularly increased i…
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
-
Modafinil potentially increases the risk of congenital malformations when used in pregnancy. Modafinil should not be used during pregnancy and women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment…
-
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.
-
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…
-
A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals, including recommendations to reduce handling errors with leuprorelin-containing depot medicines.
-
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…
-
Guidance has been published to support initiation of valproate in female patients and for annual review and pregnancy testing during the coronavirus pandemic.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.
-
A review of the benefits and risks of alemtuzumab (including fatal reactions) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis has now concluded and recommended a revised indication, additional contraindications, and strengthened moni…
-
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.
-
Be vigilant for any suspected adverse reactions associated with use of e-cigarettes or vaping (including lung injury) and report them to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme. In this article we provide UK case definitions of …
-
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.
-
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…
-
The Commission on Human Medicines has issued a series of recommendations to strengthen measures to minimise risk with the yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril) following very rare fatal reactions. Key recommendations include new a…
-
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…
-
Healthcare professionals should be aware of alerts and letters issued about adrenaline auto-injectors in September and October 2019. This article provides a summary of recent advice issued to healthcare professionals, includ…
-
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.
-
Fingolimod is associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations including cardiac, renal, and musculoskeletal defects, when used in pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraceptio…
-
Prescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions in patients taking montelukast and carefully consider the benefits and risks of continuing treatment if they occur.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Alerts were issued about Telefunken automated external defibrillators and BD Microtainer capillary blood specimen collection tubes.
-
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 …
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
While an urgent EU safety review evaluates reports of serious cardiovascular events and immune-mediated reactions, including autoimmune hepatitis, the use of alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) has been restricted and strengthened requir…
-
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…