tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-updateDrug Safety Update about Respiratory disease and allergy2025-01-28T14:00:09+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-june-20242024-07-23T14:01:07+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in June 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/montelukast-reminder-of-the-risk-of-neuropsychiatric-reactions2024-04-29T16:03:13+01:00Montelukast: reminder of the risk of neuropsychiatric reactionsHealthcare professionals prescribing montelukast should be alert to the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions in all patients including children and adolescents. Reported neuropsychiatric reactions include sleep disorders, hall�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-february-20242024-03-27T11:53:02+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in February 2024A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/codeine-linctus-codeine-oral-solutions-reclassification-to-prescription-only-medicine2024-02-20T11:01:38+00:00Codeine linctus (codeine oral solutions): reclassification to prescription-only medicineAdvice for healthcare professionals on the reclassification of codeine linctus to a prescription-only medicine (POM), following a public consultation. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/pseudoephedrine-very-rare-risk-of-posterior-reversible-encephalopathy-syndrome-pres-and-reversible-cerebral-vasoconstriction-syndrome-rcvs2024-02-20T11:01:34+00:00Pseudoephedrine: very rare risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS)There have been very rare reports of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) with pseudoephedrine. 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/nirmatrelvir-ritonavir-paxlovidv-be-alert-to-the-risk-of-drug-interactions-with-ritonavir2023-11-23T14:15:36+00:00Nirmatrelvir, ritonavir (Paxlovid�): be alert to the risk of drug interactions with ritonavir There is a risk of harmful drug interactions with the ritonavir component of the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid� due to its inhibition of the enzyme CYP3A, which metabolises many commonly used drugs. Prescribers should obtain a�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/e-cigarette-use-or-vaping-reminder-to-remain-vigilant-for-suspected-adverse-reactions-and-safety-concerns-and-report-them-to-the-yellow-card-scheme2023-11-23T14:15:31+00:00E-cigarette use or vaping: reminder to remain vigilant for suspected adverse reactions and safety concerns and report them to the Yellow Card scheme Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for suspected adverse reactions and safety concerns associated with e-cigarettes and e-liquids, commonly known as vapes. Please report adverse reactions to the Yellow Card scheme a�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-october-20232023-11-23T14:15:26+00:00 Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in October 2023A 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-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/codeine-linctus-public-consultation-on-the-proposal-to-reclassify-to-a-prescription-only-medicine2023-07-24T13:59:27+01:00Codeine linctus: public consultation on the proposal to reclassify to a prescription-only medicine We have launched a public consultation on the proposal to reclassify codeine linctus to a prescription-only medicine. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/adrenaline-auto-injectors-aais-new-guidance-and-resources-for-safe-use2023-06-27T13:35:03+01:00Adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs): new guidance and resources for safe useWe inform healthcare professionals that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched new guidance to highlight the latest safety advice on the steps to take during anaphylaxis. This new guidanc�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-may-20232023-06-27T13:34:54+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in May 2023A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices and details of two recent MHRA National Patient Safety Alerts to remove from service Philips Health Systems V�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/pholcodine-containing-cough-and-cold-medicines-withdrawal-from-uk-market-as-a-precautionary-measure2023-03-23T14:55:48+00:00Pholcodine-containing cough and cold medicines: withdrawal from UK market as a precautionary measure Advice for healthcare professionals regarding the withdrawal of pholcodine-containing medicines from the market. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/dupilumab-dupixentv-risk-of-ocular-adverse-reactions-and-need-for-prompt-management2022-11-29T14:00:26+00:00Dupilumab (Dupixent�): risk of ocular adverse reactions and need for prompt management Healthcare professionals prescribing dupilumab should be alert to the risks of ocular reactions. New onset or worsening ocular symptoms require prompt review. Referral for ophthalmological examination should be made as appro�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/nebulised-asthma-rescue-therapy-in-children-home-use-of-nebulisers-in-paediatric-asthma-should-be-initiated-and-managed-only-by-specialists2022-08-23T11:06:20+01:00Nebulised asthma rescue therapy in children: home use of nebulisers in paediatric asthma should be initiated and managed only by specialistsUse of a nebuliser purchased independently of medical advice for use in the home to deliver nebulised asthma rescue medications to children can mask a deterioration in the underlying disease and may increase the risk of pote�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-july-20222022-08-23T11:04:18+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in July 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines, and a patient safety alert on mexiletine hydrochloride.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/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-march-20222022-04-19T14:27:17+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in March 2022A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices. Includes a recent recall of Accuretic (quinapril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide).tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/ivacaftor-tezacaftor-elexacaftor-kaftriov-in-combination-with-ivacaftor-kalydeco-risk-of-serious-liver-injury-updated-advice-on-liver-function-testing2022-02-15T14:06:27+00:00Ivacaftor, tezacaftor, elexacaftor (Kaftrio�) in combination with ivacaftor (Kalydeco): risk of serious liver injury; updated advice on liver function testingCases of serious liver injury with elevated transaminases and bilirubin have been reported during treatment with Kaftrio–Kalydeco combination therapy. In all patients, measure alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminot�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-december-20212022-01-18T13:18:06+00:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in December 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-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/adrenaline-auto-injectors-reminder-for-prescribers-to-support-safe-and-effective-use2021-11-16T14:22:45+00:00Adrenaline auto-injectors: reminder for prescribers to support safe and effective useEmerade 300 and 500 microgram adrenaline auto-injectors have been re-supplied to the market following the implementation of corrective actions � patients and their caregivers should be provided with training and advice speci�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-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/letters-and-medicine-recalls-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-may-20212021-06-17T10:01:25+01:00Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in May 2021 A summary of letters and recent medicine recalls and notifications sent to healthcare professionals.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/emollients-and-risk-of-severe-and-fatal-burns-new-resources-available2021-05-20T12:04:42+01:00Emollients and risk of severe and fatal burns: new resources available We inform healthcare professionals of the recent campaign to promote awareness of the risk and new resources available to support safe use following previous advice to health and care professionals.
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/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-december-20202021-01-07T11:00:06+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in December 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-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/pirfenidone-esbriet-risk-of-serious-liver-injury-updated-advice-on-liver-function-testing2020-11-16T16:00:27+00:00Pirfenidone (Esbriet): risk of serious liver injury; updated advice on liver function testingSerious liver injury has been reported during treatment with pirfenidone in the first year after initiation, including 2 cases with a fatal outcome. Measure alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), a�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/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/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/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/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-march-20202020-04-27T15:59:03+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in March 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/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/e-cigarette-use-or-vaping-reporting-suspected-adverse-reactions-including-lung-injury2020-01-27T15:34:14+00:00E-cigarette use or vaping: reporting suspected adverse reactions, including lung injuryBe vigilant for any suspected adverse reactions associated with use of e-cigarettes or vaping (including lung injury) and report them to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme. In this article we provide UK case definitions of �tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-november-20192019-12-16T12:04:34+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in November 2019Letters were sent about ranibizumab and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors. Alerts were issued about ranitidine, paracetamol, omeprazole, mitomycin-C Kyowa, folic acid, and Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-october-20192019-11-21T14:56:49+00:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in October 2019Letters were sent about quadrivalent influenza vaccine, fentanyl ampoules, and Volibris (ambrisentan), and a number of pharmacy-level recalls were issued for ranitidine-containing products. Other alerts issued in October 201�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/adrenaline-auto-injectors-recent-action-taken-to-support-safety2019-10-18T15:39:58+01:00Adrenaline auto-injectors: recent action taken to support safetyHealthcare 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�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-september-20192019-10-18T15:39:23+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in September 2019Letters were issued about parenteral nutrition products, ranibizumab, ingenol mebutate gel, adrenaline auto-injectors, and fingolimod. Recall alerts were recently issued about ranitidine, aripiprazole, and bisacodyl.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/montelukast-singulair-reminder-of-the-risk-of-neuropsychiatric-reactions2019-09-19T11:40:35+01:00Montelukast (Singulair): reminder of the risk of neuropsychiatric reactionsPrescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric reactions in patients taking montelukast and carefully consider the benefits and risks of continuing treatment if they occur.
tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-july-20192019-08-19T15:47:40+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in July 2019Letters were sent about Oncaspar� (pegaspargase), Ketalar (ketamine) injection, and Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium). A recall was issued for several medicines taken out of the regulated medicines supply chain, includin�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/letters-and-drug-alerts-sent-to-healthcare-professionals-in-june-20192019-07-17T13:34:54+01:00Letters and drug alerts sent to healthcare professionals in June 2019Letters were sent about Myocrisin (sodium aurothiomalate), Cerliponase alfa (Brineura�), Darzalex�(daratumumab), retinoids�, and febuxostat (Adenuric). A recall alert was issued for medicines that were taken out of the regul�tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/oral-retinoid-medicines-revised-and-simplified-pregnancy-prevention-educational-materials-for-healthcare-professionals-and-women2019-06-19T14:12:40+01:00Oral retinoid medicines�: revised and simplified pregnancy prevention educational materials for healthcare professionals and womenNew prescriber checklists, patient reminder cards, and pharmacy checklists are available to support the Pregnancy Prevention Programme in women taking acitretin, alitretinoin, and isotretinoin. Advice about the risk of neuro�