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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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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).
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Toxic effects can occur with nitrous oxide especially with prolonged use.
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Aceclofenac is now contraindicated in patients with certain established cardiovascular diseases.
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Prescribers should be vigilant for possible thrombotic adverse reactions.
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Contraindications clarified and reminder to monitor renal function.
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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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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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Risk of thrombosis and haemorrhage in patients with prosthetic heart valve(s) requiring anti-coagulant treatment.
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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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Onivyde has been associated with reports of serious thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, and arterial thromboembolism.
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Severe infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients receiving temsirolimus.
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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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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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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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New monitoring instructions to detect these side effects as soon as possible.
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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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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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Insufficient evidence to confirm a link between oral bisphosphonate use and an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
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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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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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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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Infusion reactions and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported commonly during treatment with Avastin.
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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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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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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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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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Reminder to monitor and manage weight, glucose, and lipid levels.
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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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Five cases of necrotising fasciitis have been reported in patients treated with panitumumab in combination with chemotherapy.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Sitaxentan (Thelin▼) withdrawn due to hepatotoxicity.
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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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Central serous chorioretinopathy is a retinal disorder that has been linked to the systemic use of corticosteroids. Recently, it has also been reported after local administration of corticosteroids via inhaled and intranasal…
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Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) has been reported in recipients of filgrastim, including patients undergoing chemotherapy and a healthy donor undergoing peripheral blood progenitor-cell mobilisation; it has also been reported …
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Use restricted to adults with advanced or metastatic breast cancer only.
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Maintenance doses of brolucizumab (after the first 3 doses) should not be given at intervals of less than 8 weeks apart.
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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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Care needed when transferring from unlicensed formulations.
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Doses of theophylline, fluvoxamine, caffeine, coumarins including warfarin and the antipsychotics clozapine and olanzapine may have to be altered.