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Sales restrictions introduced in 2008 continue to be successful in managing the risk of misuse of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.
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Products that contain botulinum toxin are associated with the risk of serious adverse reactions due to distant spread of toxin.
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The Commission on Human Medicines recommend that existing levels of monitoring, education, and awareness measures by pharmacists should be maintained.
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A pharmacy-level recall of some valsartan-containing products took place due to possible contamination, including advice to healthcare professionals and information on supply.…
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Update on managing risk of misuse.
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Topical oral salicylate gels are no longer indicated for people younger than 16 years for pain associated with infant teething, orthodontic devices, cold sores, or mouth ulcers.
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A European review has considered MHRA evidence together with additional information from spontaneous reporting and published literature.
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All healthcare professionals trained in inserting Implanon must make sure they are trained in using Nexplanon before the changeover.
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Implementation of measures to regulate sales, together with the additional voluntary actions overseen by the pharmacy profession, has made an important contribution to managing the risk of misuse of pseudoephedrine and ephed…
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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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Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems should always be prescribed by brand name because products have different indications, durations of use, and introducers.
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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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To avoid the risk of air embolism, these products should not be infused under pressure.
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Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for suspected adverse reactions and safety concerns associated with e-cigarettes and e-liquids, commonly known as vapes. Please report adverse reactions to the Yellow Card scheme a…
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Abacavir should be used in line with current treatment guidelines and with caution in patients with high cardiovascular risk factors.
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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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Falsified, potentially harmful Ozempic▼ and Saxenda products have been found in the UK.
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Care must be taken with dosing as the 2 products are not equivalent.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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May cause skin irritation, particularly in children with eczema, possibly due to sodium lauryl sulfate content.
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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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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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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 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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Emergency contraceptives remain suitable for all women regardless of the woman’s weight or body mass index (BMI).
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If thin, translucent or white-to-yellow proteinaceous strands (1–2 mm in length) are visible, filtration is advised.
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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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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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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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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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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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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).