Drug Safety Update

Photosensitivity reactions are known side effects of methotrexate treatment and can be severe. Patients should be advised to take precautions to protect their skin in the sun.

• Therapeutic area: Cancer and 2 others
• Published: 30 August 2023

In autoimmune conditions and some cancer therapies, methotrexate should be taken once a week; however, we continue to receive reports of inadvertent overdose due to more frequent dosing (including daily administration).…

• Therapeutic area: Rheumatology
• Published: 23 September 2020

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.…

• Therapeutic area: Cancer and 1 others
• Published: 11 December 2014

Letters were sent about methotrexate, modafinil, Ecalta, Picato, Nexplanon, valproate medicines, e-cigarettes, and Lemtrada. Alerts were issued about finasteride, codeine/paracetamol, and Picato.…

• Therapeutic area: Anaesthesia and intensive care and 10 others
• Published: 12 February 2020

Tofacitinib should not be used in patients older than 65 years of age, people who are current or past smokers, or individuals with other cardiovascular (such as diabetes or coronary artery disease) or malignancy risk factors…

• Therapeutic area: GI, hepatology and pancreatic disorders and 1 others
• Published: 6 October 2021

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels should be measured before starting treatment with tocilizumab and monitored every 4–8 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment followed by every 12 …

• Therapeutic area: Cancer and 4 others
• Published: 17 July 2019