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All patients with cancer should have a dental check-up before bisphosphonate treatment.
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Don't apply aqueous calamine cream onto the skin before an X-ray examination because it may affect the outcome of the radiograph.
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…Unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction or coronary intervention (within 6 months)
a history of severe tachyarrhythmia
those receiving two or more other antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatments
For patients starting cilostazol, prescribers should assess benefit after 3…
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Prescribers should remain vigilant with regards to the similarity of these 2 drug names.
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Statin use may be associated with a level of hyperglycaemia in some patients where formal diabetes care is appropriate.
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There have been rare reports of Nexplanon implants having reached the lung via the pulmonary artery. An implant that cannot be palpated at its insertion site in the arm should be located as soon as possible and removed at th…
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Letters were sent in September about Dacogen (decitabine), Eperzan▼(albiglutide), ERWINASE, ReoPro (abciximab), and recombinant human erythropoietins.
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There is no known interaction between oseltamivir and aspirin but aspirin must not be given to anyone younger than 16 year.
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Patients taking warfarin should not use over-the-counter miconazole oral gel (Daktarin). If you plan to prescribe miconazole oral gel in a patient on warfarin, you should closely monitor them and advise that if they experien…
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Infusion reactions and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported commonly during treatment with Avastin.
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Healthcare professionals prescribing dupilumab should be alert to the risks of ocular reactions. New onset or worsening ocular symptoms require prompt review. Referral for ophthalmological examination should be made as appro…
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Anti-cancer therapy with carfilzomib has been associated with cases of cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, and myocardial infarction, including in patients without pre-existing cardiac disorders. Monitor patients for signs and …
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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The new offence introduced in July does not apply in Northern Ireland nor replace any existing offences of driving.
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Alerts were recently issued about Accu-Chek insulin pumps, Astral lung ventilators, and IntelliVue patient monitors used with 12-lead ECG.
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A certification mark has been designed and launched as an additional visible symbol.
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New warnings due to risk of hyperkalaemia, hypotension, and impaired renal function have been agreed following an EU-wide review.
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The human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme is now entering its second year and this article summarises the safety experience to date.
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Cases of severe hypersensitivity syndromes, sometimes fatal, have been reported with etravirine.
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Updated advice for healthcare professionals is available, after conclusion of a review of the safety of idelalisib, including the risk of infection.
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NHS Evidence Accreditation Scheme recognises organisations that demonstrate high standards in producing health or social care guidance.
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Omniscan and intravenous Magnevist are now no longer authorised for use and a product recall of any existing unexpired stock is underway.
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Take the risk of cardiovascular side effects into account when prescribing tiotropium delivered via Respimat or Handihaler to patients with certain cardiac conditions, who were excluded from clinical trials of tiotropium (in…
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European Medicines Agency has recommends the use of modafinil should be restricted to treat only sleepiness associated with narcolepsy - should no longer be used for obstructive sleep apnoea or chronic shift work sleep disor…
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Guidance has been published about thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide and the use of remote consultations and home pregnancy testing for patients taking them during COVID-19.
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Temporary safety measures are in place while an EU review investigates the link between cases of serious liver injury, including 4 cases requiring liver transplantation, and Esmya for uterine fibroids.
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The new module helps clinicians understand how to identify, manage and avoid side effects when using corticosteroids.
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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 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.
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Risk of intraocular lens opacification.
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Contraindicated in patients with any known current cancer
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A new smartphone app for reporting side effects to the Yellow Card Scheme has now launched.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received 35 reports of chondrolysis involving patients given continuous intra-articular infusions of local anaesthetics.
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Best practice example of a patient information leaflet.
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Inadvertent switching between tacrolimus products has been associated with reports of toxicity and graft rejection. If you switch a patient to a different brand, ensure they receive careful supervision and therapeutic monito…
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Patients should be transferred to alternative bronchodilator therapy.
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Following a review of the available toxicological data and a calculation of daily exposure to boron from a typical dosing regimen, we have concluded that the balance between the benefits and risks of chloramphenicol eye drop…
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New prescriber checklists, patient reminder cards, and pharmacy checklists are available to support the Pregnancy Prevention Programme in women taking acitretin, alitretinoin, and isotretinoin. Advice about the risk of neuro…
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Mycophenolate mofetil and its active metabolite mycophenolic acid are associated with a high rate of serious birth defects and increased risk of spontaneous abortion.
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N-acetylcysteine may interfere with assays from Siemens ADVIA Chemistry and Dimension/Dimension Vista instruments, leading to false-low biochemistry test results.
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Needs a summary
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Outline of the safety experience of these medicines in the UK from our proactive safety monitoring strategy.
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Maximum dose of lorazepam for short term, symptomatic treatment is 4 mg per day for severe, disabling anxiety, and 2 mg per day for severe, disabling insomnia
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Gadolinium-containing contrast agents are associated with a varying degree of risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. See advice below to minimise risk in the following vulnerable groups: patients with renal impairment; patie…
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Suspension of the marketing authorisations of rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet) recommended across the European Union.
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Alerts were recently issued about Novaline haemodialysis bloodlines used with Baxter/Gambro haemodialysis machines and Alaris and Asena enteral syringe pumps
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New safety and educational materials have been introduced for men and women and healthcare professionals to reduce the harms from valproate, including the significant risk of serious harm to the baby if taken during pregnanc…
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Advice for healthcare professionals on the reclassification of codeine linctus to a prescription-only medicine (POM), following a public consultation.
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For most patients and most medicines, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is an appropriate measure of renal function for determining dosage adjustments in renal impairment; however, in some circumstances, the Cockcr…
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Alerts were recently issued by MHRA about flex connectors in Halyard closed suction kits; SureSigns VS & VM patient monitors and viewing stations; and Zimmer Biomet trauma guide wires.