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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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An alert was issued about Moift Mover 180/205 mobile hoist and Molift Air ceiling hoist.
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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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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…
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Alerts were issued about Pagewriter Cardiographs and Efficia Monitors and Fresenius 5008 & 5008S haemodialysis machines.
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Disabling, long-lasting or potentially irreversible adverse reactions affecting musculoskeletal and nervous systems have been reported very rarely with fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Fluoroquinolone treatment should be discont…
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Onivyde has been associated with reports of serious thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, and arterial thromboembolism.
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New guidance on contraceptive methods and frequency of pregnancy testing to reduce inadvertent exposures during pregnancy in a woman taking a medicine of teratogenic potential.
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Letters were sent about Vyxeos (cytarabine, daunorubicin) and Ozurdex 700 micrograms intravitreal implant (dexamethasone). Alerts were issued about irbesartan, amoxicillin, atropine sulfate, and paracetamol infusion.
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Alerts issued include important actions for enFlow IV fluid and blood warmers due to a risk of unsafe levels of aluminium leaching from the device. Other alerts were issued on implantable cardiac pacemakers, Accu-Chek Insigh…
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Carbimazole is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations, especially when administered in the first trimester of pregnancy and at high doses. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contracep…
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If Fournier’s gangrene is suspected, stop the SGLT2 inhibitor and start treatment urgently (including antibiotics and surgical debridement). Fournier’s gangrene is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection that requi…
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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Lartruvo▼ (olaratumab), quadrivalent influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated), SGLT2 inhibitors, and carbimazole and thiamazole (synonym: methimazole)-containing produ…
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Alerts were issued about FreeStyle Libre flash glucose sensors and Arjo Minstrel passive floor lifts (portable hoist).
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Tapentadol may increase seizure risk in patients taking other medicines that lower seizure threshold, for example, antidepressants and antipsychotics. Serotonin syndrome has also been reported when tapentadol is used in comb…
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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 infectio…
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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). Women continue to report instances when they have not r…
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Warnings about the risk of severe and fatal burns are being extended to all paraffin-based emollients regardless of paraffin concentration. Data suggest there is also a risk for paraffin-free emollients. Advise patients who …
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Risk of insufficient cortisol absorption and life-threatening adrenal crisis if muco-adhesive buccal tablets are used as adrenal replacement therapy.
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A pharmacy-level recall of some valsartan-containing products took place due to possible contamination, including advice to healthcare professionals and information on supply. Letters were also sent about quadrivalent influe…
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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.
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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. Non-medicinal…
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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 suspiciou…
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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.
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Sildenafil is not authorised for use in pregnancy for the treatment of intrauterine growth restriction. The STRIDER clinical trial, which was studying the use of sildenafil in pregnancy for intrauterine growth restriction, h…
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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. Show your support for this year’s EU-wide ADR awarene…
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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Jext adrenaline autoinjectors, rivaroxaban, Ozurdex 700 micrograms intravitreal implant, sildenafil, hydrochlorothiazide, and Epilim Chronosphere (sodium valproate). We als…
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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.
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Provide clear information to patients and caregivers about how to minimise the risk of accidental exposure and the importance of appropriate disposal of patches. We continue to receive reports of unintentional opioid toxicit…
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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 ad…
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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.
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Valproate medicines must not be used in women of childbearing potential unless the Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. If you are involved in the care of female patients on valproate in the UK, see a reminder of acti…
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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 …
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Monitoring for encephalitis should continue for 12 months following discontinuation of daclizumab. Inform all patients who have discontinued daclizumab and their caregivers of the common symptoms of encephalitis and the need…
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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. Patients with communicating hydroce…
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Letters were sent about daclizumab beta (Zinbryta▼), alteplase (Actilyse), Esmya (ulipristal acetate), and Xofigo▼ (radium-223-dichloride). MHRA issued alerts and recalls for batches of Nutriflex Omega Special 2500 ml and Nu…
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Letters were sent about valproate medicines, atezolizumab (Tecentriq▼), and nusinersen (Spinraza▼). MHRA issued alerts and recalls for valsartan-containing medicines, Fiasp FlexTouch pre-filled pens, melatonin capsules, and …
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Alerts were recently issued about Novaline haemodialysis bloodlines used with Baxter/Gambro haemodialysis machines and Alaris and Asena enteral syringe pumps
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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 du…
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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. The mouthpiece cover shoul…
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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.
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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 heal…
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Report to the Yellow Card Scheme suspected adverse reactions associated with medicines taken during pregnancy experienced by women or the baby or child. Obstetricians and midwives have a particularly important role in provid…
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypercalcaemia after discontinuation of denosumab treatment for giant cell tumour of bone. Cases of rebound hypercalcemia have been reported up to 9 months after cessation of treatm…