News
Medicines Q&A: Can tricyclic antidepressants cause tinnitus?
Medicines Q&A: Can tricyclic antidepressants cause tinnitus? This Medicines Q&A from UK Medicines Information evaluates the limited published evidence available […]
Nystatin dose update: 1ml QDS
The British National Formulary (BNF) has updated the dosage recommendations for nystatin suspension for the treatment of oral candidiasis, to reflect the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for GENERIC nystatin products.
The BNF dosage recommendation has reverted back to the lower dose (in the generic SPC), and is as follows:
Adults and children — 100,000 units (1 ml) 4 times a day.
MHRA Drug Safety Update April 2017
Valproate and developmental disorders: new alert asking for patient review and further consideration of risk minimisation measures
Ponatinib (Iclusig▼): risk of vascular occlusive events—updated advice on possible dose reduction
Multiple sclerosis therapies: signal of rebound effect after stopping or switching therapy
Letters sent to healthcare professionals in March 2017: Nulojix (belatacept) 250 mg: supply shortage—restricted to existing patients
Chief Medical Officer Letters to High Antibiotic Prescribers
Improving antibiotic stewardship is a priority for Public Health England due to the continuing threat of antimicrobial resistance. The Chief Medical Officer for England is sending her annual feedback letter on antibiotic prescribing rates to GPs in April 2017.
The feedback letters are being sent to over 6,300 individual GPs in over 1,400 different GP practices with high antibiotic prescribing rates. Practices were selected based on their level of prescribing per STAR-PU and in comparison with the England average used by the Quality Premium. The letters are tailored according to GP practice prescribing rate, change in prescribing over time, and whether they were previously sent feedback. While many GPs are already reducing their usage of antibiotics, the letters are intended to support GPs to reduce their prescribing further by providing feedback on practice prescribing rates, offering encouragement and suggesting practical actions in a clear and succinct manner.
Resources To Support The Safety Of Girls And Women Who Are Being Treated With Valproate
It is vital where valproate is prescribed to girls and women of childbearing potential that they are made aware of the risks of taking the medication in pregnancy. The need for effective contraception planning must also be emphasised, along with the requirement for specialist oversight to safely change their medication if planning a pregnancy. MHRA have updated its valproate toolkit, providing a range of resources to support providers, staff and patients in the safe use of valproate. This alert asks all providers to undertake systematic identification of girls and women who are taking valproate, and to ensure the MHRA resources are used to support them to make informed choices.
SGLT2 inhibitors: updated MHRA advice on increased risk of lower-limb amputation (mainly toes)
Canagliflozin may increase the risk of lower-limb amputation (mainly toes) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Evidence does not show an increased risk for dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, but the risk may be a class effect. Preventive foot care is important for all patients with diabetes.
Harm reporting system for new psychoactive substances (NPS) launched
Public Health England have launched a new online system to report illicit drug reaction, to improve knowledge of the harmful effects of new psychoactive substances.
The ban on these new substances has been successful in reducing their easy availability but there are still many new ones circulating. The chemical content of these substances frequently changes and their effects can be dangerous and unpredictable. That is why they are so risky. This information – reported directly and easily onto the system by those at the frontline dealing with the casualties – will help shed more light on both the immediate and longer term harms of these new drugs.
NHS Prescription Charges from April 2017
The government has announced an increase to the NHS prescription charge of 20 pence, to £8.60 per prescription item. This change will come into effect from 1 April 2017.
Cochrane review of long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) plus long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) versus LABA plus inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
In a Cochrane review of 11 studies, which included 9839 participants with stable chronic COPD, LAMA+LABA treatment had fewer exacerbations, […]