Talc for pleurodesis: adverse effects

We have recently advised that talc preparations for pleurodesis are to be considered as medicinal products.

Article date: December 2007

At present, no such products are licensed. Therefore they may be prescribed only for the special clinical needs of individual patients on the direct personal responsibility of the prescriber. Users should be aware of an increased risk of adverse events, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, with talc preparations of small particle size.

For further information see Drug safety information: MHRA statement on talc preparations for pleurodesis

 

Article citation: Drug Safety Update December 2007; Volume 1 Issue 5: 15

Updates to this page

Published 11 December 2014