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The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has temporarily restricted use of the IXCHIQ Chikungunya vaccine in people aged 65 years and over following very rare fatal reactions reported globally. This is a precautionary measure…
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Following the completion of a safety review and the recommendations of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the IXCHIQ Chikungunya vaccine is no longer indicated for adults over the age of 60 years, and is contraindicate…
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The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has endorsed changes to the risk minimisation measures for isotretinoin, following a review of the impact of the measures implemented in 2023. We ask healthcare professionals to review…
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The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has endorsed changes to isotretinoin prescribing guidance. In addition, CHM is seeking further information from dermatology services who prescribe isotretinoin to inform any future cha…
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The annual #MedSafetyWeek campaign takes place from 3 to 9 November 2025. This year’s campaign theme is ‘we can all help make medicines safer.’
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Patients should be reminded and reassured that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice pain reliever for pregnant women, used at…
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There is a small increase in the risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination with Abrysvo (Pfizer respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine) and Arexvy (GSK RSV vaccine) in adults aged 60 years and older. Healthca…
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Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has been rarely reported in patients treated with azathioprine products and is believed to be a risk applicable to all drugs in the thiopurine class (azathioprine, mercaptopurine a…
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Psychological side effects such as anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbance, poor concentration, and forgetfulness have been infrequently reported in people with cystic fibrosis treated with Kaftrio. Healthcare professionals sho…
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Healthcare professionals and patients are reminded of the risk of severe asthma attacks and increased mortality associated with overuse of SABA with or without anti-inflammatory maintenance therapy in patients with asthma. H…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Support this initiative to explore whether there is a genetic basis of side effects associated with direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and allopurinol.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Epimax Ointment and Epimax Paraffin-Free Ointment can harm the eyes if used on the face. Do not prescribe these ointments for use on the face. Tell patients to wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes after using these…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Topical steroid products are safe and highly effective treatments for the management of a wide range of inflammatory skin diseases but have important risks, especially with prolonged use at high potency. In the coming months…
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A patient alert card is being introduced for men taking finasteride to help raise awareness of the risk of psychiatric side effects and sexual dysfunction, including the potential for sexual dysfunction to persist after trea…
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Healthcare professionals prescribing montelukast should be alert to the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions in all patients including children and adolescents. Reported neuropsychiatric reactions include sleep disorders, hall…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Advice for healthcare professionals on the reclassification of codeine linctus to a prescription-only medicine (POM), following a public consultation.
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There have been very rare reports of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) with pseudoephedrine.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Systemic fluoroquinolones must now only be prescribed when other commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate. This follows a review by the MHRA which looked at the effectiveness of current measures to reduce the ident…
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The medicines used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin) contain cobalt. There are case reports in the literature describing cobalt sensitivity-type reactions in patients being treated for vitami…
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There is a risk of harmful drug interactions with the ritonavir component of the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid▼ due to its inhibition of the enzyme CYP3A, which metabolises many commonly used drugs. Prescribers should obtain a…
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Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for suspected adverse reactions and safety concerns associated with e-cigarettes and e-liquids, commonly known as vapes. Please report adverse reactions to the Yellow Card scheme a…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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We have strengthened the safe use of isotretinoin through the introduction of additional oversight of the initiation of isotretinoin in patients under 18 years and through improved assessment and monitoring of mental health …
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and information about the publication of two recent Device Safety Information pages.
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Healthcare professionals prescribing fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, delafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin) are reminded to be alert to the risk of psychiatric reactions, including depression and ps…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines, and a recent National Patient Safety Alert highlighting the risk of deaths and serious injuries from entrapment or falls relatin…
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Healthcare professionals prescribing fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, delafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin) are reminded to be alert to the risk of disabling and potentially long-lasting or irrevers…
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Photosensitivity reactions are known side effects of methotrexate treatment and can be severe. Patients should be advised to take precautions to protect their skin in the sun.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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We have launched a public consultation on the proposal to reclassify codeine linctus to a prescription-only medicine.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices and a reminder of a recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alert to highlight the potential risk of underdosing …
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We inform healthcare professionals that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched new guidance to highlight the latest safety advice on the steps to take during anaphylaxis. This new guidanc…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices and details of two recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alerts to remove from service Philips Health Systems V…
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Recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alerts to remove from service Philips Health Systems V60 and V60 Plus ventilators and to recall Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors from patients, pharmacies and wholesalers. We also provide…
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The Isotretinoin Expert Working Group of the Commission on Human Medicines has made recommendations to strengthen the safety of isotretinoin treatment. Recommendations include new warnings, the need for consistent monitoring…
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We inform healthcare professionals of new risk minimisation measures for JAK inhibitors used to treat chronic inflammatory disorders, consistent with the measures introduced for tofacitinib (Xeljanz) in 2020 and 2021. This a…
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Healthcare professionals prescribing nitrofurantoin should be alert to the risks of pulmonary and hepatic adverse drug reactions and advise patients to be vigilant for the signs and symptoms in need of further investigation.
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Advice for healthcare professionals regarding the withdrawal of pholcodine-containing medicines from the market.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the December 2022 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 23 January 2022.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the November 2022 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 8 December 2022.
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Healthcare professionals prescribing dupilumab should be alert to the risks of ocular reactions. New onset or worsening ocular symptoms require prompt review. Referral for ophthalmological examination should be made as appro…