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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).…
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There is a risk of rhabdomyolysis if Systemic fusidic acid (Fucidin) is given with statins.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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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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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Lartruvo▼ (olaratumab), quadrivalent influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated), SGLT2 inhibitors, and carbimazole and thiamazole (synonym: methimazole)-containing produ…
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From October 2014 Dexamethasone 4 mg/ml injection (Organon Laboratories Limited) will be replaced by Dexamethasone 3.8 mg/ml solution for injection (Aspen Pharma Trading Limited).
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Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. Ensure all women and girls (and their parent, caregiver, or responsible person, if n…
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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Jext adrenaline autoinjectors, rivaroxaban, Ozurdex 700 micrograms intravitreal implant, sildenafil, hydrochlorothiazide, and Epilim Chronosphere (sodium valproate).…
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Severe infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients receiving temsirolimus.
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New recommendations are being introduced to minimise the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions with ferumoxytol.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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If Fournier’s gangrene is suspected, stop the SGLT2 inhibitor and start treatment urgently (including antibiotics and surgical debridement). Fournier’s gangrene is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection that requi…
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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.
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Overall benefits of long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue to outweigh any risks.
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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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Test for raised ketones in patients with ketoacidosis symptoms, even if plasma glucose levels are near-normal.
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A recent Europe-wide review of the safety information for alli has led to a number of updates, which bring the product information in line with that for Xenical.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and a recent National Patient Safety Alert asking organisations to put a plan in place to implement new regu…
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Use a filter needle when drawing up reconstituted dantrolene solution.
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We remind healthcare professionals that accidental use of glucose-containing solutions as flush fluid for arterial lines may contaminate blood samples and result in falsely high glucose readings. This may lead to inappropria…
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A signal of increased lower limb amputation (primarily of the toe) in people taking canagliflozin compared with placebo in a clinical trial in high cardiovascular risk patients is currently under investigation.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Do not use in children aged 16 years or less, except in specialist settings under expert medical supervision.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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Prescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions in patients taking montelukast and carefully consider the benefits and risks of continuing treatment if they occur.
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The authorisation holder for dapagliflozin has withdrawn the indication for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The removal of the type 1 diabetes indication is not due to any new safety concerns and the other indications of dapaglifl…
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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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Healthcare professionals prescribing montelukast should be alert to the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions in all patients including children and adolescents. Reported neuropsychiatric reactions include sleep disorders, hall…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and information about the publication of two recent Device Safety Information pages. The article also includ…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices and details of two recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alerts to remove from service Philips Health Systems V…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and information about the publication of two recent Device Safety Information pages.
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In January 2020, healthcare professionals received updated educational materials to support the valproate pregnancy prevention programme. Valproate is contraindicated in girls and women of childbearing potential, unless the …
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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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Review by two specialists remains in place for patients initiating valproate under 55 years of age but the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has advised that it will not be required for men (or males) currently taking valp…
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We have introduced pack size restrictions, revised recommended ages for use, and new safety warnings for over-the-counter stimulant laxatives (orally and rectally administered) following a national safety review. Advise pati…
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We are providing an update on a retrospective observational study on the risk to children born to men who took valproate in the 3 months before conception and on the need for the re-analysis of the data from this study befor…
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In view of data showing ongoing exposure to valproate in pregnancy, this article reminds healthcare professionals of the risks in pregnancy and the current Pregnancy Prevention Programme requirements, and provides informatio…
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A retrospective observational study has indicated a possible association between valproate use by men around the time of conception and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in their children.
Inform male p…
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Topiramate is now contraindicated in pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential unless the conditions of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme are fulfilled. This follows a review by the MHRA which concluded that the use of…
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Although use of valproate medicines in female patients continues to slowly decline, there is wide variation in prescribing between Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). Women continue to report instances when they have not r…