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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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…If use of magnesium sulfate in pregnancy is prolonged or repeated, consider monitoring of neonates for abnormal calcium and magnesium levels and skeletal adverse effects.…
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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 sent to relevant healthcare professionals in December 2016.
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liver-function testing recommended in patients with symptoms that may indicate liver injury.
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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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Letters were sent about Oncaspar▼ (pegaspargase), Ketalar (ketamine) injection, and Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium).…
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Letters were sent about insulin Fiasp and Tresiba and Inhixa (enoxaparin sodium); use survey to feedback your thoughts on Direct Healthcare Professional Communications (DHPCs) and on the way medicines safety issues are communicated.
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Letters were sent about Arsenic Trioxide (Trisenox), Uptravi▼ (selexipag), DepoCyte (cytarabine), Cinryze▼ (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]), and Clexane (enoxaparin sodium).
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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 with calcium gluconate in severe hyperkalaemia.…
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SGLT2 inhibitor treatment should be interrupted in patients who are hospitalised for major surgical procedures or acute serious medical illnesses and ketone levels measured, preferably in blood rather than urine. Treatment m…
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Monitor serum phosphate levels in patients treated with multiple high-dose administrations, or those on long-term treatment, and in those with pre-existing risk factors for hypophosphataemia. Re-evaluate ferric carboxymaltos…
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Emerging clinical trial evidence of increased cardiovascular risk.
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A summary of letters sent to healthcare professionals in September 2016, including important information for professionals who specialise in epilepsy treatment regarding the withdrawal from the market of retigabine (Trobalt).
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Osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal has been reported very rarely (fewer than 1 in 10 000 patients) with bisphosphonates, mainly in association with long-term therapy (2 years or longer).
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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 Accupro (quinapril hydrochloride) and advice on Xagrid (anagrelide hydrochloride…
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A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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Take particular care when prescribing or dispensing medicines that could be confused with others (ie, they sound-alike or look-alike).
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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Fingolimod can cause persistent bradycardia, which can increase the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. New contraindications have been introduced for patients with pre-existing cardiac disorders.
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Letters were sent about Buccolam (midazolam), misoprostol vaginal delivery system (Mysodelle), noradrenaline, Relenza (zanamivir), mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, Flolan, and Fludara.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).…
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There is a risk of rhabdomyolysis if Systemic fusidic acid (Fucidin) is given with statins.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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From October 2014 Dexamethasone 4 mg/ml injection (Organon Laboratories Limited) will be replaced by Dexamethasone 3.8 mg/ml solution for injection (Aspen Pharma Trading Limited).
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Test for raised ketones in patients with acidosis symptoms, even if plasma glucose levels are near-normal.
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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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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. Ensure all women and girls (and their parent, caregiver, or responsible person, if n…
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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).…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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New advice for extended early monitoring for those with significant bradycardia or heart block after first dose.
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Test for raised ketones in patients with ketoacidosis symptoms, even if plasma glucose levels are near-normal.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the November 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 3 December 2021.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Overall benefits of long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue to outweigh any risks.
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A recent Europe-wide review of the safety information for alli has led to a number of updates, which bring the product information in line with that for Xenical.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and a recent National Patient Safety Alert asking organisations to put a plan in place to implement new regu…
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Use a filter needle when drawing up reconstituted dantrolene solution.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A signal of increased lower limb amputation (primarily of the toe) in people taking canagliflozin compared with placebo in a clinical trial in high cardiovascular risk patients is currently under investigation.
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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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Do not use in children aged 16 years or less, except in specialist settings under expert medical supervision.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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Prescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions in patients taking montelukast and carefully consider the benefits and risks of continuing treatment if they occur.
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Diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes on a combination of a GLP-1 receptor agonist and insulin who had doses of concomitant insulin rapidly reduced or discontinued. GLP-1 receptor agonists …