-
Tapentadol may increase seizure risk in patients taking other medicines that lower seizure threshold, for example, antidepressants and antipsychotics.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
Although use of valproate medicines in female patients continues to slowly decline, there is wide variation in prescribing between Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 5 others
-
Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Jext adrenaline autoinjectors, rivaroxaban, Ozurdex 700 micrograms intravitreal implant, sildenafil, hydrochlorothiazide, and Epilim Chronosphere (sodium valproate).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 13 others
-
Interrupt treatment if posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is confirmed and resume treatment only once the event is resolved and the benefit of continued treatment outweighs the risk of PRES.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
A supply disruption alert was issued by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) on EpiPen and EpiPen Junior; see MHRA advice on extension of use beyond the expiry date for certain batches of EpiPen 300 microgram adrenaline autoinjectors.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 8 others
-
Valproate medicines must not be used in women of childbearing potential unless the Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
Monitoring for encephalitis should continue for 12 months following discontinuation of daclizumab.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 3 others
-
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.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 2 others
-
Letters were sent about daclizumab beta (Zinbryta▼), alteplase (Actilyse), Esmya (ulipristal acetate), and Xofigo▼ (radium-223-dichloride).
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 12 others
-
Letters were sent about valproate medicines, atezolizumab (Tecentriq▼), and nusinersen (Spinraza▼).
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 12 others
-
Report to the Yellow Card Scheme suspected adverse reactions associated with medicines taken during pregnancy experienced by women or the baby or child.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 22 others
-
Use materials online now and hardcopies arriving over the coming weeks by post to ensure women and girls of childbearing potential on valproate medicines meet the requirements of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
Letters were sent about insulin Fiasp and Tresiba and Inhixa (enoxaparin sodium); use survey to feedback your thoughts on Direct Healthcare Professional Communications (DHPCs) and on the way medicines safety issues are communicated.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 3 others
-
Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 4 others
-
Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Zinbryta▼ (daclizumab beta), Lynparza 50 mg capsules, and radium-223-dichloride (Xofigo▼).
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended the immediate suspension of the marketing authorisation and recall of daclizumab (Zinbryta) in the EU following reports of serious inflammatory brain disorders, including encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology
-
Letters were sent about ellaOne, ERWINASE, Eperzan▼, Ocaliva▼, Velcade, Esmya, and Bleo-Kyowa.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 11 others
-
Omniscan and intravenous Magnevist are now no longer authorised for use and a product recall of any existing unexpired stock is underway.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 1 others
-
Letters were sent about Buccolam (midazolam), misoprostol vaginal delivery system (Mysodelle), noradrenaline, Relenza (zanamivir), mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, Flolan, and Fludara.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 12 others
-
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 contraindicated or unsuitable.
- Therapeutic area:
- GI, hepatology and pancreatic disorders and 1 others
-
Letters were sent about cladribine (Litak and Leustat), radium-223-dichloride (Xofigo▼), and ERWINASE.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 3 others
-
A review has found that low levels of gadolinium can be retained in the brain and other tissues after administration of gadolinium-containing contrast agents (GdCAs).
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 1 others
-
Consider progressive multifocal encephalopathy (PML) in the differential diagnosis for patients with new or worsening neurological signs or symptoms, even several years after treatment with cladribine.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
Fingolimod can cause persistent bradycardia, which can increase the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 1 others
-
Monitor patients closely for skin cancers.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 2 others
-
Letters were sent about eluxadoline (Truberzi), fingolimod (Gilenya), Bleo-Kyowa (bleomycin sulphate), Buccolam (midazolam), and ERWINASE.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 4 others
-
Quinine has dose-dependent QT-interval-prolonging effects and should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for QT prolongation or in those with atrioventricular block.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 3 others
-
In addition to the 3 risk-based categories of antiepileptic drugs, patient-related factors should be considered when deciding whether it is necessary to maintain continuity of supply for a specific product.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology
-
Gabapentin has been associated with a rare risk of severe respiratory depression even without concomitant opioid medicines.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 1 others
-
Letters were sent about ibrutinib, daclizumab, aflibercept, valproate medicines, and arsenic trioxide.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 5 others
-
While an urgent EU-wide review of new information on liver safety is under way, promptly review patients on treatment.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology
-
A summary of letters sent to healthcare professionals, including an important reminder about the withdrawal of retigabine (Trobalt) from the market.
- Therapeutic area:
- Anaesthesia and intensive care and 9 others
-
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.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
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.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology
-
A summary of letters sent to relevant healthcare professionals in December 2016.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 1 others
-
A summary of letters sent to healthcare professionals in September 2016, including important information for professionals who specialise in epilepsy treatment regarding the withdrawal from the market of retigabine (Trobalt).
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
In April 2016, letters were sent regarding canagliflozin (Invokana▼, Vokanamet▼), BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors, pomalidomide (Imnovid▼), and retigabine (Trobalt)
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 4 others
-
Perform a quantitative serum anti-JCV antibody test—including index value—to support risk stratification for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
- Therapeutic area:
- Infectious disease and 1 others
-
Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy have been reported in patients taking dimethyl fumarate for multiple sclerosis, who all had prolonged lymphopenia.
- Therapeutic area:
- Dermatology and 2 others
-
The immunomodulatory effects of fingolimod increase the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and opportunistic infections.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 3 others
-
Patients receiving apomorphine and domperidone require an assessment of cardiac risk factors and ECG monitoring to reduce the risk of serious arrhythmia related to QT-prolongation.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cardiovascular disease and lipidology and 1 others
-
Following an EU wide review of meprobamate, the remaining licence holder in the UK has ceased manufacturing and the licence will be cancelled by the end of 2016.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
In March 2016, letters were sent regarding SGLT2 inhibitors, insulin lispro, natalizumab, noradrenaline, radium-223 dichloride, aflibercept and idelalisib.
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 6 others
-
In February 2016, a letter was sent to healthcare professionals regarding medicines containing valproate.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
Children exposed to valproate in utero are at high risk of developmental disorders and congenital malformations.
- Therapeutic area:
- Neurology and 3 others
-
In January 2016, letters were sent to healthcare professionals regarding fingolimod (Gilenya▼) and erlotinib (Tarceva)
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 1 others
-
In December 2015, a letter was sent to healthcare professionals regarding Reminyl (galantamine hydrobromide).
- Therapeutic area:
- Dermatology and 1 others
-
In November, letters were sent regarding thalidomide, mycophenolate mofetil, nicorandil, InductOs, and dimethyl fumarate
- Therapeutic area:
- Cancer and 6 others
-
Last month, letters were sent regarding ketoprofen gel, fingolimod (Gilenya▼) and efavirenz (Sustiva).
- Therapeutic area:
- Dermatology and 5 others
-
Check full blood counts before prescribing dimethyl fumarate and then every 6 to 12 months.
- Therapeutic area:
- Dermatology and 2 others
GOV.UK