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Tazocin (piperacillin/tazobactam) has been reformulated to meet European Pharmacopoeia requirements on particle size.
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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).…
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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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…Alerts were issued about Epanutin (phenytoin) oral solution, Macopharma intravenous infusion bags, and Co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid).…
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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.…
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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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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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We remind healthcare professionals that accidental use of glucose-containing solutions as flush fluid for arterial lines may contaminate blood samples and result in falsely high glucose readings. This may lead to inappropriate insulin administration and subsequent hypoglycaemia.…
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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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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There is a risk of rhabdomyolysis if Systemic fusidic acid (Fucidin) is given with statins.
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The authorisation holder for dapagliflozin has withdrawn the indication for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The removal of the type 1 diabetes indication is not due to any new safety concerns and the other indications of dapaglifl…
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…GLP-1 receptor agonists are not substitutes for insulin, and any reduction of insulin should be done in a stepwise manner with careful glucose self-monitoring.…
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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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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Care must be taken with dosing as the 2 products are not equivalent.
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All products to be named and prescribed as caffeine citrate.
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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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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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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 recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines
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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 and medical devices.
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New recommendations are being introduced to minimise the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions with ferumoxytol.
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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 letters and recent 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.
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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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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 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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Patients who use products that contain maltose, xylose, or galactose should use glucose-specific monitors.
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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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False blood glucose readings when used to flush arterial lines leading to incorrect insulin administration and potentially fatal hypoglycaemia.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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Not for use in pregnancy unless there is no effective alternative.
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Alerts were issued about FreeStyle Libre flash glucose sensors and Arjo Minstrel passive floor lifts (portable hoist).
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Monitor glucose levels closely in patients with diabetes during direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, particularly within the first 3 months of treatment, and modify diabetes medication or doses when necessary.…
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Data suggests that long-term use of carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, and sodium valproate is associated with decreased bone mineral density that may lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and increased fractures.
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…We also remind you of an alert about Accu-Chek blood glucose test strips.
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An alert was issued recently about Accu-Chek Aviva, Accu-Chek Performa, and Accu-Chek Inform II test strips – risk of strip error messages and false high and low blood glucose results. An alert was also issued recently about Infinity Acute Care System and M540 Patient Monitors.
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…The product information for all Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists has been further updated to highlight the potential risk of severe acute pancreatitis with these products, including rare…
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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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Letters were sent about daclizumab beta (Zinbryta▼), alteplase (Actilyse), Esmya (ulipristal acetate), and Xofigo▼ (radium-223-dichloride). MHRA issued alerts and recalls for batches of Nutriflex Omega Special 2500 ml and Nu…
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Review by two specialists remains in place for patients initiating valproate under 55 years of age but the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has advised that it will not be required for men (or males) currently taking valp…