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Although use of valproate medicines in female patients continues to slowly decline, there is wide variation in prescribing between Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). Women continue to report instances when they have not r鈥�
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Warnings about the risk of severe and fatal burns are being extended to all paraffin-based emollients regardless of paraffin concentration. Data suggest there is also a risk for paraffin-free emollients. Advise patients who 鈥�
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Monitor glucose levels closely in patients with diabetes during direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, particularly within the first 3 months of treatment, and modify diabetes medication or doses when necessary. Pa鈥�
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Risk of insufficient cortisol absorption and life-threatening adrenal crisis if muco-adhesive buccal tablets are used as adrenal replacement therapy.
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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鈥�
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Alerts were issued about ConvaTec Suction catheters, gastro-enteral tubes, intermittent urology catheters and sterile urine drainage bags, CME T34 ambulatory syringe pumps, and HeartStart MRx monitor/defibrillators.
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Oral lidocaine-containing products for infant teething are only to be available under the supervision of a pharmacist so that parents and caregivers can receive guidance about managing infant teething symptoms. Non-medicinal鈥�
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Advise patients taking hydrochlorothiazide-containing products of the cumulative, dose-dependent risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly in long-term use, and the need to regularly check for (and report) any suspiciou鈥�
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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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Sildenafil is not authorised for use in pregnancy for the treatment of intrauterine growth restriction. The STRIDER clinical trial, which was studying the use of sildenafil in pregnancy for intrauterine growth restriction, h鈥�
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Reporting suspected adverse drug reactions to the Yellow Card Scheme helps to support the safe use of medicines in babies, children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Show your support for this year鈥檚 EU-wide ADR awarene鈥�
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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Jext adrenaline autoinjectors, rivaroxaban, Ozurdex 700 micrograms intravitreal implant, sildenafil, hydrochlorothiazide, and Epilim Chronosphere (sodium valproate). We als鈥�
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An alert was recently issued by MHRA about CoaguChek Test Strips for Point of Care and Home Use due to a risk of false high results. Affected CoaguChek test strips may give false high results for INR values above 4.5 when co鈥�
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Rivaroxaban treatment in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) should be stopped and switched to standard of care.
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Monitor thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients treated with levothyroxine for at least the first month after starting and ending ritonavir treatment.
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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.
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Provide clear information to patients and caregivers about how to minimise the risk of accidental exposure and the importance of appropriate disposal of patches. We continue to receive reports of unintentional opioid toxicit鈥�
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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 ad鈥�
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Alerts were recently issued by MHRA about flex connectors in Halyard closed suction kits; SureSigns VS & VM patient monitors and viewing stations; and Zimmer Biomet trauma guide wires.
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Valproate medicines must not be used in women of childbearing potential unless the Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. If you are involved in the care of female patients on valproate in the UK, see a reminder of acti鈥�
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Now only authorised for use in patients with symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastases who have had 2 previous systemic treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer or who cannot receive 鈥�
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Monitoring for encephalitis should continue for 12 months following discontinuation of daclizumab. Inform all patients who have discontinued daclizumab and their caregivers of the common symptoms of encephalitis and the need鈥�
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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. Patients with communicating hydroce鈥�
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Letters were sent about daclizumab beta (Zinbryta鈻�), alteplase (Actilyse), Esmya (ulipristal acetate), and Xofigo鈻� (radium-223-dichloride). MHRA issued alerts and recalls for batches of Nutriflex Omega Special 2500 ml and Nu鈥�
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More than one treatment course is authorised only in women who are not eligible for surgery, and liver function monitoring is to be carried out in all women treated with Esmya. Before initiation, discuss with women the rare 鈥�
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Letters were sent about valproate medicines, atezolizumab (Tecentriq鈻�), and nusinersen (Spinraza鈻�). MHRA issued alerts and recalls for valsartan-containing medicines, Fiasp FlexTouch pre-filled pens, melatonin capsules, and 鈥�
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Alerts were recently issued about Novaline haemodialysis bloodlines used with Baxter/Gambro haemodialysis machines and Alaris and Asena enteral syringe pumps
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New pharmacokinetic data show mean exposure of darunavir (brand name Prezista) boosted with cobicistat (available in combination in Rezolsta鈻�, Symtuza鈻�) to be lower during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy than du鈥�
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Remind patients to check and remove the mouthpiece cover properly before inhaling a dose and to shake the inhaler to remove loose objects that may have become trapped in the inhaler during storage. The mouthpiece cover shoul鈥�
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If bilirubin and/or creatinine test results are inconsistent with clinical observations, request re-testing using another method to determine the validity of the result.
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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鈥�
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Report to the Yellow Card Scheme suspected adverse reactions associated with medicines taken during pregnancy experienced by women or the baby or child. Obstetricians and midwives have a particularly important role in provid鈥�
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Letters were sent about Cetrotide (cetrorelix acetate), Eperzan鈻�(albiglutide), darunavir/cobicistat, Keytruda鈻� (pembrolizumab), Denzapine (clozapine) 50 mg/mL oral suspension, and Bleo-Kyowa (bleomycin sulphate).
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Alerts were recently issued by MHRA about Smiths Medical medication cassette reservoirs, Alaris Smartsite add-on bag access devices, and Combur10 Test UX and Chemstrip 10 A urinalysis test strips.
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New safety recommendations have been issued while an EU review evaluates cases of neural tube defects in babies born to mothers who became pregnant while taking the HIV medicine dolutegravir.
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Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypercalcaemia after discontinuation of denosumab treatment for giant cell tumour of bone. Cases of rebound hypercalcemia have been reported up to 9 months after cessation of treatm鈥�
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A pooled analysis has shown an increased rate of new primary malignancies in patients given Xgeva (1-year cumulative incidence 1.1%) compared with those given zoledronic acid (0.6%), when used in the indication of the preven鈥�
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Letters were sent about azithromycin, Lynparza鈻�(Olaparib), Xgeva鈻� (denosumab), Lymphoseek (tilmanocept), ReoPro (abciximab) and dolutegravir; you still have time to complete a quick survey to tell us your views on the way me鈥�
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An alert was recently issued by MHRA on JM103 and JM105 Jaundice Meters. We also remind you of an alert about Accu-Chek blood glucose test strips.
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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.
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Train patients to place the Braltus capsule in the correct chamber of the Zonda inhaler. We have received reports of patients who have inhaled a Braltus capsule from the mouthpiece into the back of the throat, resulting in c鈥�
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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 commu鈥�
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An alert was issued recently about Accu-Chek Aviva, Accu-Chek Performa, and Accu-Chek Inform II test strips 鈥� risk of strip error messages and false high and low blood glucose results. An alert was also issued recently about鈥�
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Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. Ensure all women and girls (and their parent, caregiver, or responsible person, if n鈥�
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We are aware of reports of serious liver injuries and deaths in patients with primary biliary cholangitis with pre-existing moderate or severe liver impairment who were not adequately dose-adjusted. Follow dose reduction and鈥�
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Any healthcare professional can submit a Yellow Card, including students. When submitting a report about a medicine via the Yellow Card website, if your occupation is not available in our drop-down list, you can now select 鈥樷��
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Letters were sent to healthcare professionals about Zinbryta鈻� (daclizumab beta), Lynparza 50 mg capsules, and radium-223-dichloride (Xofigo鈻�).
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An alert was issued about T34 ambulatory syringe pumps.
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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 e鈥�
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Temporary safety measures are in place while an EU review investigates the link between cases of serious liver injury, including 4 cases requiring liver transplantation, and Esmya for uterine fibroids.