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Patients who use products that contain maltose, xylose, or galactose should use glucose-specific monitors.
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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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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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Do not use in children aged 16 years or less, except in specialist settings under expert medical supervision.
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The authorisation holder for dapagliflozin has withdrawn the indication for type 1 diabetes mellitus.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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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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Test for raised ketones in patients with acidosis symptoms, even if plasma glucose levels are near-normal.
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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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Alerts were issued about FreeStyle Libre flash glucose sensors and Arjo Minstrel passive floor lifts (portable hoist).
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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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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 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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Use has been restricted to 48 hours’ maximum parenteral use under specialist supervision, after a European safety review.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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Cutaneous amyloidosis at the injection site has been reported in patients using insulin and this may affect glycaemic control. Remind patients to rotate injection sites within the same body region.
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To avoid the risk of air embolism, these products should not be infused under pressure.
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Reminder to monitor and manage weight, glucose, and lipid levels.…
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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 large study has shown no safety issues of concern relating to the use of metformin during pregnancy. The licence for metformin now reflects that it can be considered for use during pregnancy and the periconceptional phase …
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications 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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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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With the exception of medicines containing zidovudine, stavudine, or didanosine, product information will no longer include warnings on fat redistribution or lactic acidosis.
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We have issued a National Patient Safety Alert following serious reports of harm associated with insulin leakage during use of the Accu-Chek Insight Insulin pump with NovoRapid PumpCart prefilled insulin cartridges. Patients…
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Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential risk of pulmonary aspiration in patients using GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists who undergo surgery or procedures with general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).
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Solu-Medrone 40 mg may contain trace amounts of milk proteins. Do not use in patients with a known or suspected allergy to cows’ milk.
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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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Recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alerts to remove from service Philips Health Systems V60 and V60 Plus ventilators and to recall Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors from patients, pharmacies and wholesalers. We also provide…
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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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Letters were sent about Insuman insulin products, mecasermin, and valproate medicines. Recalls were issued about ranitidine medicines and Paclitaxel.
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New recommendations are being introduced to minimise the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions with ferumoxytol.
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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 about tofacitinib (Xeljanz▼), Trisenox (arsenic trioxide), lapatinib (Tyverb), direct-acting oral anticoagulants, and Lartruvo▼ (olaratumab). Alerts were issued about Epanutin (phenytoin) oral solution, Mac…
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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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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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New contraindications and warnings for combination of aliskiren (Rasilez) with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
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We ask healthcare professionals to support new guidance for users of diabetes management equipment, their families, care givers and representatives.
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Care needed to minimise risk of error, including training for patients.
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A falsified version of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) KwikPen 15mg solution for injection has been found supplied through one online pharmacy in the UK. The falsified product is labelled with batch D873576 and applies to Mounjaro Kw…
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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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Topical oral salicylate gels are no longer indicated for people younger than 16 years for pain associated with infant teething, orthodontic devices, cold sores, or mouth ulcers.
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Several new high strength insulin products are now on the market. The European Medicines Agency is consulting on guidance to minimise the risk of medication error.
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Healthcare professionals are reminded to inform patients about the common and serious side effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs).
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The ninth annual #MedSafetyWeek social media campaign is taking place 4 to 10 November 2024.