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If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor…
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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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Onsenal▼ (celecoxib) is no longer approved in Europe for the reduction of intestinal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
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As the safety of COVID-19 antivirals in pregnancy has not been established, please report any pregnancies which occur during use of an antiviral, including paternal use, to the UK COVID-19 Antivirals Pregnancy Registry. This…
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With the exception of medicines containing zidovudine, stavudine, or didanosine, product information will no longer include warnings on fat redistribution or lactic acidosis.
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There have been reports of rejection of solid organ transplants in patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab. Ipilimumab (Yervoy▼) may also interfere with immunosuppressive therapy, increasing the risk of graft reject…
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Restricted dose and duration of use.
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Nasal formulations of desmopressin are no longer indicated for primary nocturnal enuresis.
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Febuxostat must be stopped immediately if hypersensitivity occurs and must not be re-started in patients who have ever developed a hypersensitivity reaction to febuxostat.
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Before starting treatment with pomalidomide, establish hepatitis B virus status in all patients.
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Surgeons reminded to have competent personnel and emergency facilities available for at least 1 hour after administration of the blue dye.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the September 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 1 October 2021.
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New warnings and contraindications for ergot-derived dopamine agonists due to risk of fibrosis associated with chronic use.
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Recent epidemiological evidence of an increased risk of fracture with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
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Denosumab is associated with a risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal has also been reported with denosumab.
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Following a review by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the marketing authorisation (licence) for levothyroxine 100 microgram tablets manufactured by Teva has been suspended.
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Prescribers should be vigilant for possible thrombotic adverse reactions.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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Care must be taken with dosing as the 2 products are not equivalent.
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Linezolid is not active against infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens, and treatment should be started only after specialist microbiological advice.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. Includes a recent recall of Accuretic (quinapril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide).
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You should take caution when you use NSAIDs in patients with renal impairment or are at risk.
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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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Healthcare professionals should consider measuring magnesium levels before starting PPI treatment and repeat measurements periodically during prolonged treatment.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the February 2023 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 21 March 2023.
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importance of establishing wild type RAS (KRAS and NRAS) status before treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
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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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Use of Antipsychotic may be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events.
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Do not use codeine in children under 12 as it is associated with a risk of respiratory side effects. Codeine is not recommended for adolescents (12 to 18) who have problems with breathing.
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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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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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A review is being undertaken by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency with advice from the Commission on Human Medicines and the Isotretinoin Expert Working Group due to concerns about the possible associat…
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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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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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Onivyde has been associated with reports of serious thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, and arterial thromboembolism.
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If an adverse reaction is suspected, ask patients whether they are taking any herbal medicines and discuss with them the importance of reporting this via the Yellow Card Scheme.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the April 2022 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 13 May 2022.
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Possible increased risk of retinopathy with epoetin beta in premature infants calls for careful consideration of options for preventing anaemia of prematurity.
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Reports of pigment changes in ocular tissue, skin, lips or nails.
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Use a lower starting dose of thalidomide in patients with untreated multiple myeloma who are older than age 75 years.
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There is a risk of rhabdomyolysis if Systemic fusidic acid (Fucidin) is given with statins.
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We have initiated a new safety review into topiramate as a result of an observational study reporting an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children whose mothers took topiramate during pregnancy.
Topir…
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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…
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Canagliflozin may increase the risk of lower-limb amputation (mainly toes) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Evidence does not show an increased risk for dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, but the risk may be a class effect. P…
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Topiramate is now contraindicated in pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential unless the conditions of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme are fulfilled. This follows a review by the MHRA which concluded that the use of…
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Central serous chorioretinopathy is a retinal disorder that has been linked to the systemic use of corticosteroids. Recently, it has also been reported after local administration of corticosteroids via inhaled and intranasal…
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Reminder on risk of serious and fatal toxicity in overdose.
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Warn patients and family, monitor patients for signs of depression
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Liver function tests should be carried out at treatment initiation, during treatment, and also when the dose is increased.
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Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) has been reported in recipients of filgrastim, including patients undergoing chemotherapy and a healthy donor undergoing peripheral blood progenitor-cell mobilisation; it has also been reported …