-
Marketing authorisations for carisoprodol are to be suspended after a European review concluded that the risks of treatment outweigh the benefits.
-
MHRA has found samples of intensive body lotion with aloe vera (OSAS) to contain corticosteroid betamethasone.
-
Long-acting β2 agonists (LABA) should only be prescribed in conjunction with inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of moderate to severe asthma.
-
Incorrect dosage of bivalirudin in percutaneous coronary intervention can lead to major adverse cardiac events.
-
Paraffin based products such as white soft paraffin can set on fire easily.
-
Detailed recommendations for dose restrictions when used with some other drugs as interactions may increase the risk of adverse effects, or reduce the effectiveness of statin treatment.
-
Advice for healthcare professionals on potentially fatal outcomes of oral anticancer medicines if they are not prescribed, dispensed or administered properly.
-
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report all suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) on the yellow card porftal to melt formulations of desmopressin.
-
Use in women who are planning pregnancy should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, in which case the potential risks and benefits should be discussed
-
Patients should use the lowest effective dose, and the shortest duration of treatment necessary to control symptoms.
-
Over-correction of haemoglobin concentration may increase the risk of death and serious cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease; it may increase the risk of thrombosis and related complications in patie…
-
We have recently advised that talc preparations for pleurodesis are to be considered as medicinal products.
-
Breastfed babies might very rarely develop side-effects due to the presence of morphine in breast milk.
-
Co-proxamol's phased withdrawal period lasts until the end of 2007 to enable patients to move to suitable alternatives.
-
Patients with epilepsy should not take products that contain St John’s wort as any antiepileptic medicine may interact with St John’s wort.
-
MHRA continues to identify cases of herbal medicines, particularly traditional Chinese medicines, which contain illegal and toxic Aristolochia or aristolochic acids.
-
To avoid the risk of air embolism, these products should not be infused under pressure.
-
Physicians should remain vigilant for pneumonia and other infections of the lower respiratory tract (ie, bronchitis) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are treated with inhaled products that contain s…
-
Products that contain botulinum toxin are associated with the risk of serious adverse reactions due to distant spread of toxin.
-
Systemic piroxicam should be initiated only by specialists as a second-line treatment for arthritis, with patients who currently take piroxicam reassessed at a routine appointment.
-
Healthcare professionals should advise patients who need re-vaccination with Pneumovax II to expect a more intense reaction than after their first vaccination.
-
Prescribing advice should be followed carefully, particularly recommended upper dose limits due to associated higher gastrointestinal risk than most other NSAIDs in the class.
-
Maximum dose of lorazepam for short term, symptomatic treatment is 4 mg per day for severe, disabling anxiety, and 2 mg per day for severe, disabling insomnia
-
Rare occurrence of serious allergic reactions should not preclude use of parenteral thiamine in patients who need treatment by this route of administration.
-
Increased risk of stroke in older women should be taken into account in prescribing decisions.
-
Patients should be assessed regularly due to reported cases of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour during treatment with duloxetine or shortly after stopping treatment.
-
Risk of early psychiatric side-effects is one of several important safety issues for healthcare professionals to discuss with patients and carers, who should seek urgent medical advice in the event of any worrying symptoms.
-
Nasal formulations of desmopressin are no longer indicated for primary nocturnal enuresis.
-
Before prescribing hormone-replacement therapy, healthcare professionals should consider carefully the potential benefits and risks for every woman
-
Cataract surgeons should check past or current use of α-1 adrenoreceptor antagonists for prostatic hypertrophy before surgery.
-
Linezolid is not active against infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens, and treatment should be started only after specialist microbiological advice.
-
Healthcare professionals should warn patients that compulsive behaviour with dopamine agonists may be dose-related.
-
Isotretinoin should only be prescribed by consultant dermatologist-led teams and dispensed only by a hospital pharmacy.
-
Patients who use products that contain maltose, xylose, or galactose should use glucose-specific monitors.
-
In the UK, low-dose aspirin is licensed for prevention of thrombotic cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease only in those who already have vascular disease—ie, secondary prevention.