-
Calciphylaxis is a very rare but serious condition causing vascular calcification and skin necrosis.
-
Risk of serious haemorrhage—clarified contraindications apply to all 3 medicines.
-
Contraindications clarified and reminder to monitor renal function.
-
Evidence suggests an increased risk of aminoglycoside-associated ototoxicity in patients with mitochondrial mutations, including cases in which the patient’s aminoglycoside serum levels were within the recommended range. The…
-
Be vigilant for any suspected adverse reactions associated with use of e-cigarettes or vaping (including lung injury) and report them to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme. In this article we provide UK case definitions of …
-
Risk of tuberculosis - screen all patients before starting treatment and monitor them closely.
-
Before initiating systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors, carefully consider the risk of aneurysm and artery dissection in patients with risk factors.…
-
…Don't apply aqueous calamine cream onto the skin before an X-ray examination because it may affect the outcome of the radiograph.…
-
Amiodarone has been associated with serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, particularly of the lung, liver, and thyroid gland. We remind healthcare professionals that patients should be supervised and reviewe…
-
The most important risk factors for uterine perforation are insertion during lactation and insertion in the 36 weeks after giving birth. Before inserting an IUS or IUD, inform women of the risk and the symptoms of perforation.
-
Use baricitinib with caution in patients with diverticular disease and in those concomitantly treated with medications associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis.
-
A European review identified baseline markers as predictive factors for morbidity requiring hospitalisation and mortality in cirrhotic patients.
-
While an urgent EU-wide review of new information on liver safety is under way, promptly review patients on treatment. Only initiate daclizumab in restricted groups of patients with limited treatment options and keep all pat…
-
Use trametinib, authorised either as monotherapy or combined with dabrafenib, with caution in patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal perforation.
-
Abacavir should be used in line with current treatment guidelines and with caution in patients with high cardiovascular risk factors.
-
Patients who present with acute or worsening signs and symptoms of keratitis should be referred promptly to an ophthalmology specialist.
-
Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).
-
We inform healthcare professionals of new risk minimisation measures for JAK inhibitors used to treat chronic inflammatory disorders, consistent with the measures introduced for tofacitinib (Xeljanz) in 2020 and 2021. This a…
-
…We also advise that periodic monitoring for patients with risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered.
-
New simplified guidance on treating paracetamol overdose with intravenous acetylcysteine including an updated treatment nomogram.
-
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 unless there are no suitable treatment alternatives.
-
Statin use may be associated with a level of hyperglycaemia in some patients where formal diabetes care is appropriate.
-
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.…
-
Patients receiving apomorphine and domperidone require an assessment of cardiac risk factors and ECG monitoring to reduce the risk of serious arrhythmia related to QT-prolongation.
-
Caution should be used in patients with known risk factors for venous thromboembolism in addition to the underlying disease.…
-
Minimising the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw; monitoring for hypocalcaemia.
-
A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
-
Quinine has dose-dependent QT-interval-prolonging effects and should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for QT prolongation or in those with atrioventricular block.…
-
…Do not prescribe hydroxyzine to people with a prolonged QT interval or risk factors for QT interval prolongation.
-
Test for raised ketones in patients with ketoacidosis symptoms, even if plasma glucose levels are near-normal.
-
Following observation in a clinical study of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism and overall mortality with tofacitinib 10 mg twice-daily in rheumatoid arthritis, a safety review has started and new contraindications int…
-
Increased risk of arterial thromboembolism, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events for patients treated with thalidomide.
-
A supply disruption alert was issued by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) on EpiPen and EpiPen Junior; see MHRA advice on extension of use beyond the expiry date for certain batches of EpiPen 300 microgram ad…
-
Patients should be reminded and reassured that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice pain reliever for pregnant women, used at…
-
All patients with cancer should have a dental check-up before bisphosphonate treatment.
-
Patients receiving lenalidomide for management of multiple myeloma should be closely monitored for evidence of arterial and venous thromboembolic events.
-
Use of Antipsychotic may be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events.
-
A review of the latest evidence on the risk of thromboembolism advises to consider risk factors and remain vigilant for signs and symptoms.…
-
Evaluate a patient’s individual factors for benefits and risks before initiating treatment with denosumab 60mg, particularly in those with previous vertebral fracture. Patients should not stop denosumab without specialist review.…
-
New recommendations after a Europe-wide review of cardiovascular safety.
-
All healthcare professionals trained in inserting Implanon must make sure they are trained in using Nexplanon before the changeover.
-
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 carboxymaltose treatment in patients with persistent hypophosphataemia.…
-
Cases of benign and malignant neoplasms have been observed among children and adolescents who received treatment with mecasermin. Do not use mecasermin in children or adolescents with active or suspected neoplasia or with an…
-
A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
-
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…
-
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).
-
The monitoring requirements and discontinuation criteria for dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) have been strengthened following a small number of reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with mild …
-
Dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered before treatment with bevacizumab or sunitinib.
-
Fluoroquinolones should only be used after careful benefit-risk assessment and after consideration of other therapeutic options in patients at risk for heart valve regurgitation (incompetence).
-
If pioglitazone is used in combination with insulin patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure, weight gain, and oedema.