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Careful monitoring of serum sodium important, co-administration of other drugs that may increase serum sodium not recommended.
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Patients with cancer who received recombinant human erythropoietins in clinical trials had an increased risk of tumour progression and reduced overall survival compared with study controls.
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Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy have been reported in patients taking dimethyl fumarate for multiple sclerosis, who all had prolonged lymphopenia.
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While this defect is still being investigated, we remind you to always have a full spare cylinder loaded on the delivery device so the cylinders can be switched without delay.
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New simplified guidance on treating paracetamol overdose with intravenous acetylcysteine including an updated treatment nomogram.
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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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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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St John’s wort interacts with hormonal contraceptives reducing the effectiveness and increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
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Calcium salts (either calcium chloride or calcium gluconate) are used to stabilise the myocardium and prevent cardiac arrest in patients experiencing severe hyperkalaemia. However, the two salts are not equivalent in terms o…
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Caution is required if prescribing febuxostat in patients with pre-existing major cardiovascular disease, particularly, in those with evidence of high urate crystal and tophi burden or those initiating urate-lowering therapy…
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Over-correction of haemoglobin concentration may increase the risk of death and serious cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease; it may increase the risk of thrombosis and related complications in patie…
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Liver monitoring requirements for cladribine in the treatment of multiple sclerosis have been introduced following uncommon cases of serious liver injury. Advise patients to seek urgent medical attention if they develop any …
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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 …
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Patients should use the lowest effective dose, and the shortest duration of treatment necessary to control symptoms.
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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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Test for raised ketones in patients with acidosis symptoms, even if plasma glucose levels are near-normal.
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Increased risk of arterial thromboembolism, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events for patients treated with thalidomide.
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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 summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Updates have been made to the magnitude of the known risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis following exposure to erythromycin in infancy as a result of new epidemiological data. The risk is particularly increased i…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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The immunomodulatory effects of fingolimod increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and opportunistic infections.
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Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that can cause sudden deterioration in vision, usually in one eye at a time, has been very rarely reported in association with semaglutide in the treatmen…
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Healthcare professionals should be aware of epidemiological data showing a small increased risk of fractures associated with the use of TCAs and SSRIs, and should take this risk into account in their discussions with patient…
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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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Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has been very rarely reported in patients treated with mesalazine. Following a recent review, warnings for IIH are being added to the product information for all mesalazine products…
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Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials have highlighted a dose-dependent increased risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with established cardiovascular diseases or cardiovascular risk factors…
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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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Remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of bleeding complications during treatment with DOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban), especially in patients with increased bleeding risks. Specific reversal agents are a…
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The maximum recommended dose for simvastatin in conjunction with amlodipine and diltiazem is now 20 mg/day.
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Now only authorised for use in patients with symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastases who have had 2 previous systemic treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer or who cannot receive …
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Risk minimisation materials are available to support the safe use of new paediatric formulations of rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa). In addition, we ask healthcare professionals to consult the curren…
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Be especially alert for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients taking more than one medicine and report any suspected ADRs to the Yellow Card Scheme. Show your support for the MHRA’s ADR awareness week campaign on 17–23 F…
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New recommendations following a recent clinical trial which found that in patients with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome terlipressin may cause serious or fatal respiratory failure at a frequency higher than previously known, and…