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Letters were sent about alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Selenase (sodium selenite pentahydrate), and Erelzi▼ (etanercept).
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Recent clinical trials have shown increased mortality when bendamustine (Levact) was used in combination treatments outside its approved indications. Be aware that the risk of opportunistic infections for all patients receiv…
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Preliminary HPS2-THRIVE trial failed to show benefit outweighs risks
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Cases of severe hypersensitivity syndromes, sometimes fatal, have been reported with etravirine.
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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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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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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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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 reminder for those who use topical ketoprofen to avoid direct sunlight, ultraviolet rays, sunbeds or sunlamps.
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Alerts were issued about Rocket and NuSurgix fetal blood sampling (FBS) amnioscopes and kits, Philips Efficia professional-use defibrillators/monitors, and CME T-34 3rd edition syringe driver pumps. A notice was also issued …
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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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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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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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Possible illicit drug use should be considered when prescribing medicines that have the potential to interact adversely.
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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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Oral diclofenac is associated with a small increased risk of cardiovascular side effects and is therefore no longer available over the counter.
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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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Use restricted to adults with advanced or metastatic breast cancer only.
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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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If bilirubin and/or creatinine test results are inconsistent with clinical observations, request re-testing using another method to determine the validity of the result.
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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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The immunomodulatory effects of fingolimod increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and opportunistic infections.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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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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Patients with active infection with this virus should not be treated with ofatumumab.
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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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New safety information for intensive monitoring of Erlotinib.
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Where possible, use an appropriate alternative therapy for patients at increased risk of thrombosis.
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Generic piperacillin/tazobactam products have different compatibilities with other medicines compared with tazocin, raising a risk of serious medication errors.
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…Alerts were issued about ranitidine, paracetamol, omeprazole, mitomycin-C Kyowa, folic acid, and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors.…
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Onsenal▼ (celecoxib) is no longer approved in Europe for the reduction of intestinal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
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There is a potential risk of fatal overdose due to confusion between lipid-based and non-lipid-based formulations of parenteral amphotericin B. These formulations are not interchangeable: prescribers, pharmacists, and nurses…
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Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported during treatment with capecitabine.
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Available evidence shows that the risk of blood vessel blockage with ponatinib is likely to be dose-dependent, however the data are insufficient to recommend reducing the ponatinib dose.
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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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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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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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Healthcare professionals should be aware of this risk when prescribing prasugrel.
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The MHRA is reviewing its approach to engaging with healthcare professionals on the safety of medicines and medical devices. Through our consultation, you can provide your views and help inform our new approach.
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Before starting treatment with pomalidomide, establish hepatitis B virus status in all patients.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Prescribers should consider reducing the dose of ponatinib to 15 mg a day for patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML) who have achieved a major cytogenetic response.
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Patients who require a liquid oral formulation of a β-agonist should be switched to a more-selective short-acting β2-agonist such as salbutamol or terbutaline.
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Surgeons reminded to have competent personnel and emergency facilities available for at least 1 hour after administration of the blue dye.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Reminder to test liver function before and during treatment.
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Avoid concomitant use of amiodarone with simeprevir (Olysio▼) and sofosbuvir (Sovaldi▼) combination therapy, unless other antiarrhythmics cannot be given.