tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-updateDrug Safety Update about Cancer2025-01-28T14:00:09+00:00HM Governmenttag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-december-20242025-01-28T14:00:09+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in December 2024A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.� tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-july-20242024-08-21T11:00:39+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in July 2024 A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-may-20242024-06-20T11:11:05+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in May 2024A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-april-20242024-05-29T14:32:40+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in April 2024 A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and information about the publication of two recent Device Safety Information pages. The article also includ�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-march-20242024-04-29T16:03:09+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in March 2024A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-january-20242024-02-20T11:01:30+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in January 2024A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-september-20232023-10-31T10:29:09+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in September 2023A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and information about the publication of two recent Device Safety Information pages. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-august-20232023-09-26T14:30:07+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in August 2023A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines, and a recent National Patient Safety Alert highlighting the risk of deaths and serious injuries from entrapment or falls relatin�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/methotrexate-advise-patients-to-take-precautions-in-the-sun-to-avoid-photosensitivity-reactions2023-08-30T10:31:17+01:00Methotrexate: advise patients to take precautions in the sun to avoid photosensitivity reactionsPhotosensitivity reactions are known side effects of methotrexate treatment and can be severe. Patients should be advised to take precautions to protect their skin in the sun.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-july-20232023-08-30T10:31:08+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in July 2023A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/hyoscine-hydrobromide-patches-scopoderm-1-dot-5mg-patch-or-scopoderm-tts-patch-risk-of-anticholinergic-side-effects-including-hyperthermia2023-07-24T13:59:33+01:00Hyoscine hydrobromide patches (Scopoderm 1.5mg Patch or Scopoderm TTS Patch): risk of anticholinergic side effects, including hyperthermia There have been a small number of reports of serious and life-threatening anticholinergic side effects associated with hyoscine hydrobromide patches, particularly when used outside the licence. Healthcare professionals, pati�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-june-20232023-07-24T13:59:23+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in June 2023 A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices and a reminder of a recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alert to highlight the potential risk of underdosing �tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-april-20232023-05-25T10:53:17+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in April 2023 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�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-january-20232023-02-27T15:01:51+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in January 2023 A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-november-20222022-12-12T12:00:19+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in November 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-october-20222022-11-29T14:00:08+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in October 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-september-20222022-10-25T14:43:16+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in September 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/rucaparib-rubracav-withdrawal-of-third-line-treatment-indication2022-09-26T16:19:36+01:00Rucaparib (Rubraca�): withdrawal of third-line treatment indicationThe third-line treatment indication for rucaparib has been withdrawn following a review of the findings of the ARIEL-4 trial, which showed lower overall survival for rucaparib treatment versus standard chemotherapy in patien�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-august-20222022-09-26T16:19:15+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in August 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicinestag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-june-20222022-07-21T11:03:37+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in June 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-may-20222022-06-20T16:38:29+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in May 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devicestag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/denosumab-60mg-prolia-should-not-be-used-in-patients-under-18-years-due-to-the-risk-of-serious-hypercalcaemia2022-05-17T13:11:57+01:00Denosumab 60mg (Prolia): should not be used in patients under 18 years due to the risk of serious hypercalcaemiaSerious and life-threatening hypercalcaemia has been reported with denosumab 60mg (Prolia) in children and adolescents in clinical trials for osteogenesis imperfecta and during off-label use. Denosumab 60mg (Prolia) is autho�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-april-20222022-05-17T13:11:33+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in April 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. Includes a recent recall of Accupro (quinapril hydrochloride) and advice on Xagrid (anagrelide hydrochloride�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/paclitaxel-formulations-conventional-and-nab-paclitaxel-caution-required-due-to-potential-for-medication-error2022-01-18T13:18:21+00:00Paclitaxel formulations (conventional and nab-paclitaxel): caution required due to potential for medication errorAlbumin-bound paclitaxel formulations for infusion (nab-paclitaxel; brand names Abraxane, Pazenir) differ from conventional paclitaxel medicines in their authorised indications, pharmacokinetics, recommended dosages, and pre�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/venetoclax-venclyxtov-updated-recommendations-on-tumour-lysis-syndrome-tls2021-12-10T11:01:39+00:00Venetoclax (Venclyxto�): updated recommendations on tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) Fatal cases of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) have been reported, some occurring in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia receiving the lowest venetoclax dose used in the dose-titration schedule. For all patients, it is i�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-november-20212021-12-10T11:00:52+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in November 2021A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-october-20212021-11-16T14:22:16+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in October 2021A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-september-20212021-10-06T12:23:58+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in September 2021A summary of recent letters, medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-june-20212021-07-07T17:13:08+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in June 2021 A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/cdk4-slash-6-inhibitors-abemaciclibv-palbociclibv-ribociclibv-reports-of-interstitial-lung-disease-and-pneumonitis-including-severe-cases2021-06-17T10:02:36+01:00CDK4/6 inhibitors (abemaciclib�, palbociclib�, ribociclib�): reports of interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis, including severe casesCases of interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis have been reported in patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors indicated for some breast cancers. Ensure that patients taking these medicines are aware of the need to seek advic�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/atezolizumab-tecentriqv-and-other-immune-stimulatory-anti-cancer-drugs-risk-of-severe-cutaneous-adverse-reactions-scars2021-06-17T10:02:21+01:00Atezolizumab (Tecentriq�) and other immune-stimulatory anti-cancer drugs: risk of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)Cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions, including Stevens-Johnsons syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have been reported in patients treated with immune-stimulatory anti-cancer drugs, including atezoli�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-march-20212021-04-27T14:22:10+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in March 2021A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/bendamustine-levact-increased-risk-of-non-melanoma-skin-cancer-and-progressive-multifocal-encephalopathy-pml2021-03-24T14:27:55+00:00Bendamustine (Levact): increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and progressive multifocal encephalopathy (PML)Periodically perform skin examinations in patients on bendamustine-containing regimens and consider PML in the differential diagnosis for patients on bendamustine with new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioural�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-january-20212021-02-18T11:34:55+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in January 2021A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-november-20202020-12-17T17:08:25+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in November 2020A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-october-20202020-11-16T15:42:11+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in October 2020A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/5-fluorouracil-intravenous-capecitabine-tegafur-dpd-testing-recommended-before-initiation-to-identify-patients-at-increased-risk-of-severe-and-fatal-toxicity2020-10-22T14:16:03+01:005-fluorouracil (intravenous), capecitabine, tegafur: DPD testing recommended before initiation to identify patients at increased risk of severe and fatal toxicity Patients with complete or partial dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency are at increased risk of severe and fatal toxicity during treatment with these medicines. All patients should be tested for DPD deficiency be�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/niraparib-zejula-reports-of-severe-hypertension-and-posterior-reversible-encephalopathy-syndrome-pres-particularly-in-early-treatment2020-10-22T14:15:44+01:00Niraparib (Zejula�): reports of severe hypertension and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), particularly in early treatment Increase the frequency of blood pressure monitoring to at least weekly for the first 2 months, and then monitor monthly for the first year and periodically thereafter during treatment, following recent reports of onset of se�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-september-20202020-10-22T14:14:36+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in September 2020A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-july-20202020-08-26T14:07:26+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in July 2020A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals, including recommendations to reduce handling errors with leuprorelin-containing depot medicines.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/systemically-administered-vegf-pathway-inhibitors-risk-of-aneurysm-and-artery-dissection2020-07-31T11:40:50+01:00Systemically administered VEGF pathway inhibitors: risk of aneurysm and artery dissection Before initiating systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors, carefully consider the risk of aneurysm and artery dissection in patients with risk factors. In patients who receive a systemic VEGF pa�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/liposomal-and-lipid-complex-formulations-name-change-to-reduce-medication-errors2020-07-31T11:40:27+01:00Liposomal and lipid-complex formulations: name change to reduce medication errors Make a clear distinction between liposomal, pegylated-liposomal, lipid-complex and conventional formulations when prescribing, dispensing, administering, and communicating about these medicines. Medicines with these formulat�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-may-20202020-06-29T15:19:54+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in May 2020A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.
tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/immunomodulatory-drugs-and-pregnancy-prevention-temporary-advice-for-management-during-coronavirus-covid-192020-05-21T14:45:46+01:00Immunomodulatory drugs and pregnancy prevention: temporary advice for management during coronavirus (COVID-19)Guidance has been published about thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide and the use of remote consultations and home pregnancy testing for patients taking them during COVID-19.
tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-april-20202020-05-21T14:45:31+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in April 2020A summary of letters and drug alerts recently sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-february-20202020-03-18T14:23:59+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in February 2020 Letters were sent on Typhim Vi vaccines, Mepact (mifamurtide), and Xeljanz (tofacitinib) and an alert issued to recall Emerade 150 microgram adrenaline pens. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/medical-device-alerts-issued-in-february-20202020-03-18T14:23:29+00:00Medical Device Alerts issued in February 2020Alerts were issued about CME T34 and T34L (T60) ambulatory syringe pumps, Cardinal Health tympanic thermometers, t:slim X2 insulin pump, and Mavidon skin preparation electrode gels.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/ingenol-mebutate-gel-picato-suspension-of-the-licence-due-to-risk-of-skin-malignancy2020-02-12T16:44:22+00:00Ingenol mebutate gel (Picato�): suspension of the licence due to risk of skin malignancy Stop prescribing Picato and consider other treatment options for actinic keratosis as appropriate. The licence of ingenol mebutate (Picato) has been suspended as a precautionary measure while the European Medicines Agency (E�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-january-20202020-02-12T16:43:17+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in January 2020 Letters were sent about methotrexate, modafinil, Ecalta, Picato, Nexplanon, valproate medicines, e-cigarettes, and Lemtrada. Alerts were issued about finasteride, codeine/paracetamol, and Picato.
tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/ondansetron-small-increased-risk-of-oral-clefts-following-use-in-the-first-12-weeks-of-pregnancy2020-01-27T15:33:54+00:00Ondansetron: small increased risk of oral clefts following use in the first 12 weeks of pregnancyRecent epidemiological studies suggest exposure to ondansetron during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a small increased risk of the baby having a cleft lip and/or cleft palate.