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Should not be used for cough under 18 years
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Maternal administration of magnesium sulfate for longer than 5–7 days in pregnancy has been associated with skeletal adverse effects and hypocalcaemia and hypermagnesemia in neonates. If use of magnesium sulfate in pregnancy…
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Cases of serotonin syndrome have been identified in associated with bupropion, especially in overdose or when bupropion is administered with other drugs with a serotonergic effect.
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Sildenafil is not authorised for use in pregnancy for the treatment of intrauterine growth restriction. The STRIDER clinical trial, which was studying the use of sildenafil in pregnancy for intrauterine growth restriction, h…
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Use of pioglitazone is associated with a small increased risk of bladder cancer. Healthcare professionals should be aware of new warnings and precautions for use in at-risk patients
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Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) for drospirenone-containing combined oral contraceptives (COCs), including Yasmin, is higher than for levonorgestrel-containing COCs.
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Alerts were issued about CME T34 and T34L (T60) ambulatory syringe pumps, Cardinal Health tympanic thermometers, t:slim X2 insulin pump, and Mavidon skin preparation electrode gels.
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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…
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Patients who take telbivudine and pegylated interferon are at increased risk of peripheral neuropathy and should stop taking both medicines if symptoms occur.
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Monitoring blood concentrations of clozapine (Clozaril, Denzapine, Zaponex) for toxicity is now advised in certain clinical situations. Blood level monitoring of other antipsychotics for toxicity may also be helpful in certa…
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Warnings about the risk of severe and fatal burns are being extended to all paraffin-based emollients regardless of paraffin concentration. Data suggest there is also a risk for paraffin-free emollients. Advise patients who …
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Extension of the indication for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to include harm reduction.
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded that oral fluoroquinolone norfloxacin (Utinor) shouldn't be used to treat acute or chronic, complicated pyelonephritis.
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A summary of recent safety letters sent to relevant healthcare professionals
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Globally, there has been a very small number of reports of new-onset or aggravation of pre-existing myasthenia gravis with atorvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin (singl…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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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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New study shows use of oral contraceptives reduces risk of ovarian cancer.
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There is a risk of rhabdomyolysis if Systemic fusidic acid (Fucidin) is given with statins.
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In the UK, low-dose aspirin is licensed for prevention of thrombotic cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease only in those who already have vascular disease—ie, secondary prevention.
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Patients with complete or partial dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency are at increased risk of severe and fatal toxicity during treatment with these medicines. All patients should be tested for DPD deficiency be…
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You should take caution when you use NSAIDs in patients with renal impairment or are at risk.
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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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Take the risk of cardiovascular side effects into account when prescribing tiotropium delivered via Respimat or Handihaler to patients with certain cardiac conditions, who were excluded from clinical trials of tiotropium (in…
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A summary of Medical Device Alerts recently issued by the MHRA.
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In view of data showing ongoing exposure to valproate in pregnancy, this article reminds healthcare professionals of the risks in pregnancy and the current Pregnancy Prevention Programme requirements, and provides informatio…
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Patients should be transferred to alternative bronchodilator therapy.
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A clinical trial has shown an increased risk of recurrent thrombotic events associated with rivaroxaban compared with warfarin, in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and a history of thrombosis. Other direct-acting oral…
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How pharmacists can prevent counterfeits reaching patients.
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Risks of Nicobrevin outweigh any benefits.
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…Only initiate daclizumab in restricted groups of patients with limited treatment options and keep all patients under close liver function monitoring.
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Five cases of necrotising fasciitis have been reported in patients treated with panitumumab in combination with chemotherapy.
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Healthcare professionals should consider a dose reduction or discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil if patients develop pure red cell aplasia.
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Risk of psychological and behavioural side effects.
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Products that contain botulinum toxin are associated with the risk of serious adverse reactions due to distant spread of toxin.
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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 re…
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A summary of Medical Device Alerts recently issued by the MHRA.
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Reports of acquired haemophilia have been received in association with clopidogrel.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.
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Consider progressive multifocal encephalopathy (PML) in the differential diagnosis for patients with new or worsening neurological signs or symptoms, even several years after treatment with cladribine.
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New reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis) in patients receiving panitumumab, some of which were fatal.
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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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Epidemiological data suggest that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particularly in the later stages, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to enquire…
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Mycophenolate mofetil and its active metabolite mycophenolic acid, both used to prevent transplant rejection, are teratogenic and genotoxic. The available clinical evidence does not indicate an increased risk of malformation…
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Onsenal▼ (celecoxib) is no longer approved in Europe for the reduction of intestinal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
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Tapentadol may increase seizure risk in patients taking other medicines that lower seizure threshold, for example, antidepressants and antipsychotics. Serotonin syndrome has also been reported when tapentadol is used in comb…
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There is an increased risk that some patients may experience psychiatric symptoms with apremilast, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Stop treatment if patients have new psychiatric symptoms or if existing symptoms …
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Prescribing advice should be followed carefully, particularly recommended upper dose limits due to associated higher gastrointestinal risk than most other NSAIDs in the class.
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Healthcare professionals should monitor the use and safety of antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV as they are advanced.
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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.