-
Letters were sent in September about Dacogen (decitabine), Eperzan▼(albiglutide), ERWINASE, ReoPro (abciximab), and recombinant human erythropoietins.
-
Letters were sent about INOmax (nitric oxide) cylinders and triptorelin (Decapeptyl).
-
It is recommended that 2 adrenaline auto-injectors are prescribed, which patients should carry at all times.
-
Letters were sent about ibrutinib, daclizumab, aflibercept, valproate medicines, and arsenic trioxide.
-
There have been reports of rejection of solid organ transplants in patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab. Ipilimumab (Yervoy▼) may also interfere with immunosuppressive therapy, increasing the risk of graft reject…
-
Letters were sent about Arsenic Trioxide (Trisenox), Uptravi▼ (selexipag), DepoCyte (cytarabine), Cinryze▼ (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]), and Clexane (enoxaparin sodium).
-
Letters were sent about Pharmalgen (Bee Venom and Wasp Venom) Initial kits, bendamustine (Levact), and ERWINASE.
-
A summary of letters sent to healthcare professionals, including an important reminder about the withdrawal of retigabine (Trobalt) from the market.
-
Babies born to mothers who take valproate medicines (Epilim▼, Depakote▼) during pregnancy have a 30–40% risk of developmental disability and a 10% risk of birth defects. Despite communications to prescribers in January 2015 …
-
A summary of letters sent to relevant healthcare professionals.
-
All patients should be screened for hepatitis B before starting treatment for chronic hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral interferon-free regimens. Patients who are co-infected with hepatitis B and C viruses are at risk…
-
A summary of letters sent to relevant healthcare professionals in December 2016.
-
Coadministration of a corticosteroid with an HIV-treatment-boosting agent may increase the risk of adrenal suppression due to a pharmacokinetic interaction.
-
A summary of recent letters sent to relevant healthcare professionals, to inform them of updated safety information.
-
Patients should be tested for hepatitis B virus before starting treatment with BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
-
Before starting treatment with pomalidomide, establish hepatitis B virus status in all patients.
-
Healthcare professionals working in primary and secondary care should ensure that clinically significant immunosuppression in a patient is identified before administration of a live attenuated vaccine.
-
In February 2016, a letter was sent to healthcare professionals regarding medicines containing valproate.
-
Children exposed to valproate in utero are at high risk of developmental disorders and congenital malformations. Use the new communication materials below to discuss these risks with patients
-
Mycophenolate mofetil and its active metabolite mycophenolic acid are associated with a high rate of serious birth defects and increased risk of spontaneous abortion.
-
In November, letters were sent regarding thalidomide, mycophenolate mofetil, nicorandil, InductOs, and dimethyl fumarate
-
Possible increased risk of retinopathy with epoetin beta in premature infants calls for careful consideration of options for preventing anaemia of prematurity.
-
Last month, letters were sent regarding ketoprofen gel, fingolimod (Gilenya▼) and efavirenz (Sustiva).
-
Do not use codeine in children under 12 as it is associated with a risk of respiratory side effects. Codeine is not recommended for adolescents (12 to 18) who have problems with breathing.
-
Check full blood counts before prescribing dimethyl fumarate and then every 6 to 12 months. Stop treatment immediately if you suspect progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
-
The new module helps clinicians understand how to identify, manage and avoid side effects when using corticosteroids.
-
While this defect is still being investigated, we remind you to always have a full spare cylinder loaded on the delivery device so the cylinders can be switched without delay.
-
Since November 2014, letters were sent regarding vismodegib (Erivedge ▼), chlorhexidine solutions, carbocisteine oral liquid (Mucodyne Paediatric 125mg/5ml), regadenoson (Rapiscan), a parenteral nutrition emulsion (Trio…
-
Measure serum immunoglobulin levels if recurrent infections develop. Consider bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis if patients develop persistent respiratory symptoms.
-
A European review has considered MHRA evidence together with additional information from spontaneous reporting and published literature.
-
We have received reports of Colobreathe (colistimethate sodium) capsules shattering when pierced by their inhaler device.
-
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).
-
Basiliximab (Simulect) is indicated for preventing acute organ rejection only for allogeneic renal transplantation in patients receiving organ transplantation for the first time.
-
We remind you to provide clear information to patients and caregivers regarding risk of accidental patch transfer and ingestion of patches, and need for appropriate disposal of patches.
-
After every use, an ambulance should be called even if symptoms are improving, the individual should lie down with legs raised and, if at all possible, should not be left alone.
-
Risk of tuberculosis - screen all patients before starting treatment and monitor them closely.
-
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.
-
Restricted dose and duration of use.
-
All products to be named and prescribed as caffeine citrate.
-
Codeine should only be used to relieve acute moderate pain in children older than 12 years and only if it cannot be relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.
Furthermore, a significant risk of se…
-
-
Repeat enhanced cardiovascular monitoring when restarting fingolimod after treatment interruption,
-
Safety review initiated following post-surgical fatalities in ultra-rapid metabolisers
-
The non-identical nature of biological medicines and vaccines means it is very important that safety surveillance is carried out on a brand/product-specific basis.
-
A safety review conducted at the end of its routine use during the ongoing human papillomavirus immunisation programme has found that no new risks have been identified for Cervarix, and that the balance of its risks and bene…
-
Do not use in children aged 16 years or less, except in specialist settings under expert medical supervision.
-
Healthcare professionals should advise patients and/or carers of the changes in the dose, packaging, dose dispenser and leaflet.
-
The growing number of oral tacrolimus products available on the market increases the potential for inadvertent switching between products, which has been associated with reports of toxicity and graft rejection. Therefore, to…
-
Care must be taken with dosing as the 2 products are not equivalent.
-
New advice for extended early monitoring for those with significant bradycardia or heart block after first dose.