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Dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered before treatment, especially for patients also treated with an intravenous bisphosphonate.
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2018 saw a fall in reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the Yellow Card Scheme from key reporter groups, including GPs, pharmacists, and hospital doctors. Every Yellow Card report counts, and a few minutes…
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Aceclofenac is now contraindicated in patients with certain established cardiovascular diseases.
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Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report all suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) on the yellow card porftal to melt formulations of desmopressin.
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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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Toxic effects can occur with nitrous oxide especially with prolonged use.
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Prescribers should be vigilant for possible thrombotic adverse reactions.
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Cases of serious liver injury with elevated transaminases and bilirubin have been reported during treatment with Kaftrio–Kalydeco combination therapy. In all patients, measure alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminot…
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Denosumab is associated with a risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal has also been reported with denosumab.
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Risk of thrombosis and haemorrhage in patients with prosthetic heart valve(s) requiring anti-coagulant treatment.
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Zoledronic acid is associated with reports of renal impairment and renal failure, especially in patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction or other risk factors. Renal function should be measured before each dose, and patients should be adequately hydrated before treatment.…
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Severe infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients receiving temsirolimus.
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Onivyde has been associated with reports of serious thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, and arterial thromboembolism.
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Prescribers and dispensers should use caution if switching patients between different metolazone preparations as the rate and extent of absorption of metolazone are formulation dependent. This can impact the bioavailability …
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There have been reports of cardiac events including QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, and cardiac arrest in patients who have taken high or very high doses of loperamide as a drug of abuse or for self-treatment of opioid withdrawal.…
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In patients at risk for aortic aneurysm and dissection, fluoroquinolones should only be used after careful assessment of the benefits and risks and after consideration of other therapeutic options.
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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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Fatal cases of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) have been reported, some occurring in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia receiving the lowest venetoclax dose used in the dose-titration schedule. For all patients, it is i…
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Following a review of the available toxicological data and a calculation of daily exposure to boron from a typical dosing regimen, we have concluded that the balance between the benefits and risks of chloramphenicol eye drop…
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the October 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 12 November 2021.
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New monitoring instructions to detect these side effects as soon as possible.
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Insufficient evidence to confirm a link between oral bisphosphonate use and an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
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Monitor patients closely for skin cancers. Advise patients to seek urgent attention if they develop signs or symptoms of serious infections.
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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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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.…
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Reporting suspected adverse drug reactions to the Yellow Card Scheme helps to support the safe use of medicines in babies, children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Show your support for this year’s EU-wide ADR awarene…
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We remind healthcare professionals that elderly patients are at an increased risk of adverse neurological and cardiac effects when being treated with haloperidol for delirium. The lowest possible dose of haloperidol should b…
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The new module helps clinicians understand how to identify, manage and avoid side effects when using corticosteroids.
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Infusion reactions and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported commonly during treatment with Avastin.
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A case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) with a fatal outcome was reported in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who had not previously received treatment with methotrexate or a TNF antagonist.
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Healthcare professionals prescribing fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, delafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin) are reminded to be alert to the risk of disabling and potentially long-lasting or irrevers…
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Coadministration of a corticosteroid with an HIV-treatment-boosting agent may increase the risk of adrenal suppression due to a pharmacokinetic interaction.
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Reminder to monitor and manage weight, glucose, and lipid levels.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the December 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 13 January 2022.
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New data have confirmed that the risk of breast cancer is increased during use of all types of HRT, except vaginal estrogens, and have also shown that an excess risk of breast cancer persists for longer after stopping HRT th…
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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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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 …
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NHS Evidence Accreditation Scheme recognises organisations that demonstrate high standards in producing health or social care guidance.
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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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Where possible, use an appropriate alternative therapy for patients at increased risk of thrombosis.
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New safety information for intensive monitoring of Erlotinib.
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We have recently received 2 reports of fatal adverse reactions to the yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril). Due to an increased risk of life-threatening reactions, the vaccine must not be given to anyone with a medical history of…
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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…
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If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor…
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Prescribers should consider reducing the dose of ponatinib to 15 mg a day for patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML) who have achieved a major cytogenetic response.
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Cases of interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis have been reported in patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors indicated for some breast cancers. Ensure that patients taking these medicines are aware of the need to seek advic…
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…High-risk gadolinium-containing contrast agents are contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment, patients in the perioperative liver-transplantation period, and in neonates
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New maximum single intravenous dose of ondansetron for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) restricted due to risk of QTc prolongation.
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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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Sitaxentan (Thelin▼) withdrawn due to hepatotoxicity.