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Epidemiological data suggest that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particularly in the later stages, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to enquire…
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Updated advice on use of nicorandil as second-line treatment for stable angina - some ulcers may progress to complications unless treatment is stopped.
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Quinine should only be considered when cramps cause regular disruption of sleep.
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Reports of pigment changes in ocular tissue, skin, lips or nails.
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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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In addition to the 3 risk-based categories of antiepileptic drugs, patient-related factors should be considered when deciding whether it is necessary to maintain continuity of supply for a specific product.
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Consider progressive multifocal encephalopathy (PML) in the differential diagnosis for patients with new or worsening neurological signs or symptoms, even several years after treatment with cladribine.
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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 …
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Pharmacokinetic data indicate exposure of elvitegravir boosted with cobicistat (Genvoya▼, Stribild) is lower during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy than postpartum. Low elvitegravir exposure may be associated wi…
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Cases of pancreatitis, with or without sphincter of Oddi spasm, have been reported in patients taking eluxadoline. Some cases have resulted in hospitalisation and death, primarily in patients who have undergone cholecystecto…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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Clinical trials have reported an increased risk of renal dysfunction and mortality in critically ill or septic patients who received hydroxyethyl starch (HES) compared with crystalloids.
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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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Use of pioglitazone is associated with a small increased risk of bladder cancer. Healthcare professionals should be aware of new warnings and precautions for use in at-risk patients
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New recommendations are being introduced to minimise the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions with ferumoxytol.
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Careful monitoring of serum sodium important, co-administration of other drugs that may increase serum sodium not recommended.
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May cause skin irritation, particularly in children with eczema, possibly due to sodium lauryl sulfate content.
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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 recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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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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High intravenous doses of methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) should be avoided for patients being treated with serotonergic antidepressants (eg, SSRIs, clomipramine, and venlafaxine).
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There is an increased risk of myopathy associated with high-dose (80 mg) simvastatin. The 80-mg dose should be considered only in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and high risk of cardiovascular complications who h…
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Drug interactions involving CYP2D6, genetic variants, and variability in clinical response
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Different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) vary considerably in their characteristics, which influences the risk of whether switching between different manufacturers’ products of a particular drug may cause adverse effects or loss…
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the October 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 12 November 2021.
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New contraindications, warnings, and advice for monitoring.
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How to reduce risk of illicit use.
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New recommendations following a recent clinical trial which found that in patients with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome terlipressin may cause serious or fatal respiratory failure at a frequency higher than previously known, and…
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Monitor thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients treated with levothyroxine for at least the first month after starting and ending ritonavir treatment.
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Use in women who are planning pregnancy should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, in which case the potential risks and benefits should be discussed
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Prescribers should be aware of the risk of potentiation of radiation toxicity with vemurafenib when given before, during, or after radiotherapy
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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There have been reports of cardiac events including QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, and cardiac arrest in patients who have taken high or very high doses of loperamide as a drug of abuse or for self-treatment of opioid…
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Statin use may be associated with a level of hyperglycaemia in some patients where formal diabetes care is appropriate.
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Tofacitinib should not be used in patients older than 65 years of age, people who are current or past smokers, or individuals with other cardiovascular (such as diabetes or coronary artery disease) or malignancy risk factors…
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A UK and Europe-wide review of available efficacy and safety data confirmed that reboxetine has benefit over placebo in its authorised indication.
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Children exposed in utero to valproate are at a high risk of serious developmental disorders (in up to 30-40% of cases) and/or congenital malformations (in approximately 10% of cases).
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Measure serum immunoglobulin levels if recurrent infections develop. Consider bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis if patients develop persistent respiratory symptoms.
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There have been reports of necrotising and haemorrhagic pancreatitis in people taking exenatide some of which were fatal - stop exenatide treatment if pancreatitis is diagnosed.
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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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Advice on how to use cough and cold medicines safely for children under 12 years.
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Use baricitinib with caution in patients with diverticular disease and in those concomitantly treated with medications associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis.
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The growing number of oral tacrolimus products available on the market increases the potential for inadvertent switching between products, which has been associated with reports of toxicity and graft rejection. Therefore, to…
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Monitor patients closely for skin cancers. Advise patients to seek urgent attention if they develop signs or symptoms of serious infections.
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There have been reports of thrombotic microangiopathy and nephrotic syndrome linked to interferon beta treatment.
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Indication restricted to second-line treatment and contraindicated with some cardiovascular conditions and medicines
Furthermore, cilostazol is now contraindicated in patients with any of the following:
Unstable ang…