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European Medicines Agency has recommends the use of modafinil should be restricted to treat only sleepiness associated with narcolepsy - should no longer be used for obstructive sleep apnoea or chronic shift work sleep disor…
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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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Healthcare professionals should not prescribe them to newly diagnosed patients as first-line treatment, except for those with severe hypertriglyceridaemia or those who cannot take statins.
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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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Clinical trials, including interim findings from a randomised trial, show an increased risk of depression, suicidal ideation or behaviour, or self-injury in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus receiving belimumab comp…
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Do not prescribe etoricoxib to patients whose blood pressure is persistently above 140/90 mmHg and inadequately controlled.
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European Medicines Agency says further measures should be put in place to minimise the risk of adverse skin reactions.
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Patients should be transferred to alternative bronchodilator therapy.
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Risks of Nicobrevin outweigh any benefits.
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The Commission on Human Medicines recommend that existing levels of monitoring, education, and awareness measures by pharmacists should be maintained.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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In light of feedback, we have clarified our article on concomitant use of these medicines in heart failure.
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Possible illicit drug use should be considered when prescribing medicines that have the potential to interact adversely.
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The tighter controls being introduced to minimise risk of overuse and or addiction of painkillers containing codeine or dihydrocodeine.
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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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Further evidence that the cardiovascular risk with diclofenac is higher than other non-selective NSAIDs and similar to the selective COX-2 inhibitors.
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Patients who use products that contain maltose, xylose, or galactose should use glucose-specific monitors.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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Rare occurrence of serious allergic reactions should not preclude use of parenteral thiamine in patients who need treatment by this route of administration.
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Where possible, use an appropriate alternative therapy for patients at increased risk of thrombosis.
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Patients with epilepsy should not take products that contain St John’s wort as any antiepileptic medicine may interact with St John’s wort.
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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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Benefits of these medicines used in conjunction with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in the control of asthma symptoms in children outweigh any apparent risks.
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Update on managing risk of misuse.
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Evidence indicates risks outweigh benefits.
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Restricted dose and duration of use.
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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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Do not prescribe ergots to patients who have had fibrosis in the heart, lungs, or abdomen.
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Unless there are exceptional circumstances, valproate-containing medicines must always be dispensed in the manufacturer’s original full pack.
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Patients who require a liquid oral formulation of a β-agonist should be switched to a more-selective short-acting β2-agonist such as salbutamol or terbutaline.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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Should not be used for cough under 18 years
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New safety and educational materials have been introduced for men and women and healthcare professionals to reduce the harms from valproate, including the significant risk of serious harm to the baby if taken during pregnanc…
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Be especially alert for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients taking more than one medicine and report any suspected ADRs to the Yellow Card Scheme. Show your support for the MHRA’s ADR awareness week campaign on 17–23 F…
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Sales restrictions introduced in 2008 continue to be successful in managing the risk of misuse of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.
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The authorised dose regimen for N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in paracetamol overdose is 3 consecutive bags given intravenously over 21 hours. Prescribing information is being updated to advise that continued treatment with NAC may…
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Calcitonin-containing medicines should no longer be used in treatment of osteoporosis.
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Implementation of measures to regulate sales, together with the additional voluntary actions overseen by the pharmacy profession, has made an important contribution to managing the risk of misuse of pseudoephedrine and ephed…
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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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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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Rare cases of atypical femoral fracture with long-term use.
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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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Evidence does not support any increased risk of cancer in patients who use these medicines.
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All products to be named and prescribed as caffeine citrate.
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Mixing drugs together, where one is not a vehicle for the administration of the other, creates an unlicensed medicine.
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Strengthening surveillance of medicines throughout the EU
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A clinically significant interaction between carbapenems and valproic acid results in reduced valproate plasma concentrations with potential for inadequate seizure control. Concomitant use of these agents is not recommended,…
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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…