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A new study has suggested pregabalin may slightly increase the risk of major congenital malformations if used in pregnancy. Patients should continue to use effective contraception during treatment and avoid use in pregnancy …
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. Includes a recent recall of Accuretic (quinapril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide).
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Amiodarone has been associated with serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, particularly of the lung, liver, and thyroid gland. We remind healthcare professionals that patients should be supervised and reviewe…
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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We remind healthcare professionals that elderly patients are at an increased risk of adverse neurological and cardiac effects when being treated with haloperidol for delirium. The lowest possible dose of haloperidol should b…
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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Tofacitinib should not be used in patients older than 65 years of age, people who are current or past smokers, or individuals with other cardiovascular (such as diabetes or coronary artery disease) or malignancy risk factors…
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals
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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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A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.
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Addition of a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based laxative to a liquid that has been thickened with a starch-based thickener may counteract the thickening action, placing patients with dysphagia at a greater risk of aspiration.
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A summary of letters and recent 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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Pregabalin has been associated with infrequent reports of severe respiratory depression, including some cases without the presence of concomitant opioid medicines. Patients with compromised respiratory function, respiratory …
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SSRIs and SNRIs are known to increase bleeding risks due to their effect on platelet function. Data from observational studies suggest that the use of SSRI/SNRI antidepressants during the month before delivery may result in …
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Monitoring blood concentrations of clozapine (Clozaril, Denzapine, Zaponex) for toxicity is now advised in certain clinical situations. Blood level monitoring of other antipsychotics for toxicity may also be helpful in certa…
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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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A summary of Medical Device Alerts recently issued by the MHRA.
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Remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of bleeding complications during treatment with DOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban), especially in patients with increased bleeding risks. Specific reversal agents are a…
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
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Benzodiazepines and opioids can both cause respiratory depression, which can be fatal if not recognised in time. Only prescribe together if there is no alternative and closely monitor patients for signs of respiratory depres…
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Letters were sent on Typhim Vi vaccines, Mepact (mifamurtide), and Xeljanz (tofacitinib) and an alert issued to recall Emerade 150 microgram adrenaline pens.
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Alerts were issued about CME T34 and T34L (T60) ambulatory syringe pumps, Cardinal Health tympanic thermometers, t:slim X2 insulin pump, and Mavidon skin preparation electrode gels.
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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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Letters were sent about methotrexate, modafinil, Ecalta, Picato, Nexplanon, valproate medicines, e-cigarettes, and Lemtrada. Alerts were issued about finasteride, codeine/paracetamol, and Picato.
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Alerts were issued about Convex two-piece skin barriers for use with ostomy bags and HeartStart XL+ defibrillators. A notice was also issued following reports of falsely depressed creatinine results for patients on phenindio…
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Letters were sent about Insuman insulin products, mecasermin, and valproate medicines. Recalls were issued about ranitidine medicines and Paclitaxel.
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Letters were sent about ranibizumab and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors. Alerts were issued about ranitidine, paracetamol, omeprazole, mitomycin-C Kyowa, folic acid, and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors.
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Domperidone is no longer licensed for use in children younger than 12 years or those weighing less than 35 kg. Results from a placebo-controlled study in children younger than 12 years with acute gastroenteritis did not show…
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Establish hepatitis B status before initiating carfilzomib and in patients with unknown hepatitis B virus serology who are already being treated with carfilzomib.
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Letters were sent about quadrivalent influenza vaccine, fentanyl ampoules, and Volibris (ambrisentan), and a number of pharmacy-level recalls were issued for ranitidine-containing products. Other alerts issued in October 201…
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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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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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Letters were issued about parenteral nutrition products, ranibizumab, ingenol mebutate gel, adrenaline auto-injectors, and fingolimod. Recall alerts were recently issued about ranitidine, aripiprazole, and bisacodyl.
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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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Establish hepatitis B virus status before initiating daratumumab and in patients with unknown hepatitis B virus serology who are already being treated with daratumumab.
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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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Letters were sent about Oncaspar▼ (pegaspargase), Ketalar (ketamine) injection, and Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium). A recall was issued for several medicines taken out of the regulated medicines supply chain, includin…
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Alerts were issued about Telefunken automated external defibrillators and BD Microtainer capillary blood specimen collection tubes.
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Avoid treatment with febuxostat in patients with pre-existing major cardiovascular disease (for example, myocardial infarction, stroke, or unstable angina), unless no other therapy options are appropriate. Findings from a ph…
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Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels should be measured before starting treatment with tocilizumab and monitored every 4–8 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment followed by every 12 …