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Some batches of gentamicin sulphate active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) used to manufacture gentamicin may contain higher than expected levels of histamine, which is a residual from the manufacturing process. Monitor pati…
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Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) has been reported in recipients of filgrastim, including patients undergoing chemotherapy and a healthy donor undergoing peripheral blood progenitor-cell mobilisation; it has also been reported …
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Differences in dose delivery between the pump device and dropper device for memantine.
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Febuxostat must be stopped immediately if hypersensitivity occurs and must not be re-started in patients who have ever developed a hypersensitivity reaction to febuxostat.
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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 suspiciou…
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Latest evidence suggests long-term use of combined oral contraceptives or progestogen-only injectable contraceptives is associated with a small increased risk of cervical cancer.
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Risk of aseptic peritonitis with Dianeal, Extraneal, and Nutrineal peritoneal dialysis solutions due to possible presence of endotoxin.
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The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has endorsed changes to isotretinoin prescribing guidance. In addition, CHM is seeking further information from dermatology services who prescribe isotretinoin to inform any future cha…
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Amended advice on the insertion site for Nexplanon contraceptive implants following concerns regarding reports of neurovascular injury and implants migrating to the vasculature (including the pulmonary artery).
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Before initiating systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors, carefully consider the risk of aneurysm and artery dissection in patients with risk factors. In patients who receive a systemic VEGF pa…
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All patients with cancer should have a dental check-up before bisphosphonate treatment.
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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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High intravenous doses of methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) should be avoided for patients being treated with serotonergic antidepressants (eg, SSRIs, clomipramine, and venlafaxine).
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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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Discontinue baricitinib treatment permanently if clinical features of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occur. Prescribers are reminded to use caution if using baricitinib in patients with risk factors for deep vein…
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Patients on ipilimumab who present with diarrhoea or other symptoms of colitis, and those who do not respond to steroid treatment for immune-related colitis, should be investigated to exclude other causes, including infectio…
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Healthcare professionals should be aware of the updated information so they can discuss it with new and existing patients.
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Prescribers should remain vigilant with regards to the similarity of these 2 drug names.
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The indication for the treatment of post-operative pain has been removed from the licences of all prolonged release opioids due to the increased risk of persistent post-operative opioid use (PPOU) and opioid-induced ventilat…
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Advise patients and their caregivers to seek urgent medical attention if any signs or symptoms of communicating hydrocephalus develop during nusinersen therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. Patients with communicating hydroce…
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Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with very infrequent cases of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), a non-scarring dermatosis that can develop in sun-exposed areas.
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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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A reminder for those who use topical ketoprofen to avoid direct sunlight, ultraviolet rays, sunbeds or sunlamps.
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Risk of extrapyramidal effects or withdrawal symptoms (or both) in newborns after maternal use of antipsychotics during the third trimester of pregnancy.
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Cases of severe hypersensitivity syndromes, sometimes fatal, have been reported with etravirine.
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Osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal has been reported very rarely (fewer than 1 in 10 000 patients) with bisphosphonates, mainly in association with long-term therapy (2 years or longer).
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We inform healthcare professionals of the recent campaign to promote awareness of the risk and new resources available to support safe use following previous advice to health and care professionals.
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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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Healthcare professionals should report any suspected adverse effects relating to fingolimod (Gilenya▼) or other treatments for multiple sclerosis, including suspected adverse effects occurring after discontinuation, via the Yellow Card Scheme.
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Rivaroxaban treatment in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) should be stopped and switched to standard of care.
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The study found no clear evidence that varenicline was associated with an increased risk of fatal or non-fatal self-harm.
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Patients on nivolumab who present with diarrhoea or other symptoms of colitis, and those who do not respond to steroid treatment for immune-related colitis, should be investigated to exclude other causes, including infection…
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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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Basiliximab (Simulect) is indicated for preventing acute organ rejection only for allogeneic renal transplantation in patients receiving organ transplantation for the first time.
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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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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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Screening for hepatitis B virus is now recommended in all patients (not only those at risk of this infection) before starting treatment for all indications.
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Recall will begin in September 2011 to allow sufficient time for patients to be switched to suitable alternatives.
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We have launched a public consultation on the proposal to reclassify codeine linctus to a prescription-only medicine.
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Patients with active infection with this virus should not be treated with ofatumumab.
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The use of daclizumab (daclizumab beta) is now restricted to adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis who have had an inadequate response to at least 2 other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and for whom other DMTs are con…
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We have initiated a new safety review into topiramate as a result of an observational study reporting an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children whose mothers took topiramate during pregnancy.
Topir…
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Initiate orlistat treatment only after careful consideration of the possible impact on efficacy of antiretroviral HIV medicines.
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Where possible, use an appropriate alternative therapy for patients at increased risk of thrombosis.
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Mycophenolate mofetil and its active metabolite mycophenolic acid, both used to prevent transplant rejection, are teratogenic and genotoxic. The available clinical evidence does not indicate an increased risk of malformation…
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Possible illicit drug use should be considered when prescribing medicines that have the potential to interact adversely.
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The maximum adult daily dose of hydroxyzine is now 100 mg. Do not prescribe hydroxyzine to people with a prolonged QT interval or risk factors for QT interval prolongation.
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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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As of 1 April 2019, pregabalin and gabapentin are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as Class C substances and scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as Schedule 3. Evaluate patients carefully for a …
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The immunomodulatory effects of fingolimod increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and opportunistic infections.