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Recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alerts to remove from service Philips Health Systems V60 and V60 Plus ventilators and to recall Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors from patients, pharmacies and wholesalers. We also provide…
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Maintenance doses of brolucizumab (after the first 3 doses) should not be given at intervals of less than 8 weeks apart.
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New guidance on contraceptive methods and frequency of pregnancy testing to reduce inadvertent exposures during pregnancy in a woman taking a medicine of teratogenic potential.
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Healthcare professionals should advise patients who need re-vaccination with Pneumovax II to expect a more intense reaction than after their first vaccination.
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Solu-Medrone 40 mg may contain trace amounts of milk proteins. Do not use in patients with a known or suspected allergy to cows’ milk.
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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.
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While an urgent EU-wide review of new information on liver safety is under way, promptly review patients on treatment. Only initiate daclizumab in restricted groups of patients with limited treatment options and keep all pat…
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Calcium salts (either calcium chloride or calcium gluconate) are used to stabilise the myocardium and prevent cardiac arrest in patients experiencing severe hyperkalaemia. However, the two salts are not equivalent in terms o…
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Updated guidance on the supply and administration of Botox, Vistabel, Dysport, and other injectable medicines used in cosmetic procedures.
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The medicines used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin) contain cobalt. There are case reports in the literature describing cobalt sensitivity-type reactions in patients being treated for vitami…
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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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Healthcare professionals should be aware of alerts and letters issued about adrenaline auto-injectors in September and October 2019. This article provides a summary of recent advice issued to healthcare professionals, includ…
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New data have confirmed that the risk of breast cancer is increased during use of all types of HRT, except vaginal estrogens, and have also shown that an excess risk of breast cancer persists for longer after stopping HRT th…
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Evaluate a patient’s individual factors for benefits and risks before initiating treatment with denosumab 60mg, particularly in those with previous vertebral fracture. Patients should not stop denosumab without specialist re…
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A letter was sent about injectable methylprednisolone products containing lactose (Solu-Medrone 40 mg); do not use in patients allergic to cow’s milk proteins.
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Advice for healthcare professionals on potentially fatal outcomes of oral anticancer medicines if they are not prescribed, dispensed or administered properly.
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The European Medicines Agency has advised that no change in recommendations for use is required at present.
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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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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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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the December 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 13 January 2022.
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New recommendations following a recent clinical trial which found that in patients with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome terlipressin may cause serious or fatal respiratory failure at a frequency higher than previously known, and…
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Second year safety review
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Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report all suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) on the yellow card porftal to melt formulations of desmopressin.
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Several new high strength insulin products are now on the market. The European Medicines Agency is consulting on guidance to minimise the risk of medication error.
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We want to remind healthcare professionals that use of systemic (oral and injectable) NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac is contraindicated in the last trimester of pregnancy (after 28 weeks of pregnancy).…
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…Healthcare professionals should use saline solutions to flush arterial lines and use pressure infusion bags with transparent windows to ensure that the fluid label is visible at all times.…
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In patients at risk for aortic aneurysm and dissection, fluoroquinolones should only be used after careful assessment of the benefits and risks and after consideration of other therapeutic options.
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Risks such as toxin spread reported mostly with off-label use.
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Following receipt of a third case of fatal medication error caused by the administration of Fungizone (a non-lipid-based formulation of amphotericin B) instead of a lipid-based formulation (AmBisome, Abelcet), we remind heal…
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A pharmacy-level recall of some valsartan-containing products took place due to possible contamination, including advice to healthcare professionals and information on supply. Letters were also sent about quadrivalent influe…
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The human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme is now entering its second year and this article summarises the safety experience to date.
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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Lartruvo▼ (olaratumab), quadrivalent influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated), SGLT2 inhibitors, and carbimazole and thiamazole (synonym: methimazole)-containing produ…
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Central serous chorioretinopathy is a retinal disorder that has been linked to the systemic use of corticosteroids. Recently, it has also been reported after local administration of corticosteroids via inhaled and intranasal…
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New recommendations after a Europe-wide review of cardiovascular safety.
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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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New recommendations are being introduced to minimise the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions with ferumoxytol.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that has been published since the October 2022 issue of Drug Safety Update, up to 24 November 2022.
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A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.
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Latest evidence suggests long-term use of combined oral contraceptives or progestogen-only injectable contraceptives is associated with a small increased risk of cervical cancer.
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Dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered before treatment, especially for patients also treated with an intravenous bisphosphonate.
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No unexpected new safety issues have been identified from Yellow Card reports.
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False blood glucose readings when used to flush arterial lines leading to incorrect insulin administration and potentially fatal hypoglycaemia.
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A European review has considered MHRA evidence together with additional information from spontaneous reporting and published literature.
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Risk of aseptic peritonitis with Dianeal, Extraneal, and Nutrineal peritoneal dialysis solutions due to possible presence of endotoxin.
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…As a result, it can only be diluted with either dextrose 5% solution or sodium chloride 0·9% solution
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Risk of accidental overdose, particularly in infants and neonates.
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To avoid the risk of air embolism, these products should not be infused under pressure.
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Differences in dose delivery between the pump device and dropper device for memantine.
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Recent information relating to COVID-19 vaccines that has been published since the July 2021 issue of Drug Safety Update.
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Switching from posaconazole oral solution to tablets has resulted in cases of dose-related toxicity, whereas switching from tablets to oral solution has resulted in underdosing and lack of efficacy.