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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals, including recommendations to reduce handling errors with leuprorelin-containing depot medicines.
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The medicines used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin) contain cobalt. There are case reports in the literature describing cobalt sensitivity-type reactions in patients being treated for vitamin B12 deficiency.…
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With the exception of medicines containing zidovudine, stavudine, or didanosine, product information will no longer include warnings on fat redistribution or lactic acidosis.
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Care must be taken with dosing as the 2 products are not equivalent.
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Periodically perform skin examinations in patients on bendamustine-containing regimens and consider PML in the differential diagnosis for patients on bendamustine with new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioural signs or symptoms.
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Following an EU wide review of meprobamate, the remaining licence holder in the UK has ceased manufacturing and the licence will be cancelled by the end of 2016.
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Falsified, potentially harmful Ozempic▼ and Saxenda products have been found in the UK.
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Letters were issued about parenteral nutrition products, ranibizumab, ingenol mebutate gel, adrenaline auto-injectors, and fingolimod. Recall alerts were recently issued about ranitidine, aripiprazole, and bisacodyl.
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It is essential that the entire contents of the solvent vial is added to the concentrate vial to produce a concentrate-solvent mixture with the intended concentration of 10 mg/mL cabazitaxel.
It is essential that the enti…
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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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Advise patients taking hydrochlorothiazide-containing products of the cumulative, dose-dependent risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly in long-term use, and the need to regularly check for (and report) any suspicious skin lesions or moles.…
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Breastfed babies might very rarely develop side-effects due to the presence of morphine in breast milk.
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Most herbal medicines on the UK market are currently unlicensed products and it is difficult for consumers or healthcare professionals to identify which products are manufactured to acceptable standards with reliable product…
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importance of establishing wild type RAS (KRAS and NRAS) status before treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
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Supporting safer use
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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.…
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May cause skin irritation, particularly in children with eczema, possibly due to sodium lauryl sulfate content.
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The MHRA has reviewed the evidence for finasteride and dutasteride and the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and has recommended further measures to minimise this risk.
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Babies born to mothers who take valproate medicines (Epilim▼, Depakote▼) during pregnancy have a 30–40% risk of developmental disability and a 10% risk of birth defects. Despite communications to prescribers in January 2015 …
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If pioglitazone is used in combination with insulin patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure, weight gain, and oedema.
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Letters were sent about Buccolam (midazolam), misoprostol vaginal delivery system (Mysodelle), noradrenaline, Relenza (zanamivir), mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, Flolan, and Fludara.
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Healthcare professionals are reminded to inform patients about the common and serious side effects associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs).
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Decreased vitamin B12 levels, or vitamin B12 deficiency, is now considered to be a common side effect in patients on metformin treatment, especially in those receiving a higher dose or longer treatment duration and in those …
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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 large study has shown no safety issues of concern relating to the use of metformin during pregnancy. The licence for metformin now reflects that it can be considered for use during pregnancy and the periconceptional phase …
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Letters were sent about tofacitinib (Xeljanz▼), Trisenox (arsenic trioxide), lapatinib (Tyverb), direct-acting oral anticoagulants, and Lartruvo▼ (olaratumab). Alerts were issued about Epanutin (phenytoin) oral solution, Mac…
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Importance of establishing wildtype RAS (KRAS and NRAS) status before treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Patients with existing meningioma or a history of meningioma must not be prescribed high-dose (≥25 mg per day) cyproterone acetate.
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Updated guidance to use methylphenidateto safely and effectively for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children of 6 years or older and adolescents.
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Physicians should remain vigilant for pneumonia and other infections of the lower respiratory tract (ie, bronchitis) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are treated with inhaled products that contain steroids
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Emergency contraceptives remain suitable for all women regardless of the woman’s weight or body mass index (BMI).
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Marketing authorisations for carisoprodol are to be suspended after a European review concluded that the risks of treatment outweigh the benefits.
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If acute pancreatitis occurs during treatment with carbimazole, immediately and permanently stop treatment. Re-exposure to carbimazole may result in life-threatening acute pancreatitis with a decreased time to onset.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A letter was sent about injectable methylprednisolone products containing lactose (Solu-Medrone 40 mg); do not use in patients allergic to cow’s milk proteins.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Use of Antipsychotic may be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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Do not use codeine in children under 12 as it is associated with a risk of respiratory side effects. Codeine is not recommended for adolescents (12 to 18) who have problems with breathing.
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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. Includes a recent recall of Accupro (quinapril hydrochloride) and advice on Xagrid (anagrelide hydrochloride…
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We want to remind healthcare professionals that use of systemic (oral and injectable) NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac is contraindicated in the last trimester of pregnancy (after 28 weeks of pregnancy).
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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(Dextro)propoxyphene can have serious effects on the electrical activity of the heart (resulting in prolongation of the P-R and Q-T intervals, and widened QRS complexes), even at normal therapeutic doses.
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A summary of advice recently issued by the MHRA relating to coronavirus (COVID-19), up to 16 February 2021.
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…MHRA issued alerts and recalls for valsartan-containing medicines, Fiasp FlexTouch pre-filled pens, melatonin capsules, and sodium cromoglicate eye drops.