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TARGET Antibiotic Toolkit – Refreshed Patient Leaflets
The RCGP TARGET [Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance, Education & Tools ] Antibiotic Toolkit has been refreshed and updated in recent months. The updated toolkit now includes a comprehensive guide to the available resources with advice and tips on using them in practice. Among the refreshed resources are: new versions of the Treating Your Infection – Respiratory Tract Infection (TYI-RTI) leaflets, to support discussions about the natural history of RTIs and appropriate self-care, and provide written safety netting advice. The refreshed leaflets are supported by a user guide plus instructions for incorporating into and using in GP clinical systems. updated resources […]
Unlicensed Medicines for Children – Use Standard Strengths
The Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists’ Group (NPPG) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have issued a joint statement on using standardised strengths of unlicensed liquid medicines in children. The two bodies strongly recommend that when children require unlicensed liquid medications, they should receive the RCPCH- and NPPG- recommended strength, where one exists. There are currently 17 such recommended strengths, 16 of which are published in relevant drug monographs of the BNF for Children. Standardising the prescribed strengths of these medicines, will reduce the risk of errors being made in the doses given to children and prevent hospitalisation from […]
NICE Key Therapeutic Topics – 2019 Update
NICE have updated and revised several Key Therapeutic Topic (KTT) documents and added two new topics to the KTT collection of evidence summaries to support medicines optimisation: KTT5 Asthma: medicines safety priorities UPDATE KTT6 Hypnotics UPDATE KTT7 Antipsychotics in people living with dementia UPDATE KTT9 Antimicrobial stewardship- prescribing antibiotics UPDATE KTT12 Type 2 diabetes mellitus: medicines optimisation priorities UPDATE KTT14 Wound care products UPDATE KTT17 Acute kidney injury (AKI): use of medicines in people with or at increased risk of AKI UPDATE KTT18 Multimorbidity and polypharmacy UPDATE KTT19 Psychotropic medicines in people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges UPDATE KTT20 […]
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics – Safety Concerns
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, have a limited place in NICE & Public Health England guidance on managing common infections. Fluoroquinolones may be first line options for treatment of acute prostatitis, epidydimitis, gonorrhoea & acute pyelonephritis, and second choice options for LRTI, catheter associated LUTI and pelvic inflammatory disease – depending on bacterial susceptibilities and taking account of safety issues. The MHRA have updated, revised and strengthened advice on important safety issues: small increased risk of aortic aneurysm & dissection reports of disabling and potentially long-lasting, irreversible side effects mainly affecting the musculoskeletal and nervous systems MHRA ADVICE fluoroquinolones can […]
SGLT2 inhibitors – reports of Fournier’s gangrene
The MHRA have provided the following advice arising from reports of Fournier’s gangrene (necrotising fasciitis of the genitalia or perineum) – a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening infection – in association with use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: if Fournier’s gangrene is suspected, stop the SGLT2 inhibitor and urgently start treatment (including antibiotics and surgical debridement as required) urogenital infection or perineal abscess may precede necrotising fasciitis advise patients to seek urgent medical attention if they experience severe pain, tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, accompanied by fever or malaise
Carbimazole – Stronger Advice on Contraception
The MHRA has strengthened advice for healthcare professionals on contraception requirements for women with childbearing potential prescribed carbimazole. The stronger guidance recommends following advice provided in the FSRH statement on contraception for women using known teratogenic drugs or drugs with potential teratogenic effects. The FSRH statement recommends that women at risk should always be advised to use highly effective contraception, such as the copper IUD, levonorgestrel IUS or progestogen implant. Women using other hormonal methods, such as COC, POP or DMPA injection, should be advised to use additional barrier methods. The MHRA Medicines for Women’s Health Expert Advisory Group have […]
Yellow Card App – Updated & Improved
The MHRA have updated and improved the Yellow Card App for iOS and Android. The App allows users to: Report suspected side effects to medicines (including vaccines, herbal products and homeopathic remedies) Track new safety information published by the MHRA about medicines Create a watchlist for alerts to medicines of interest to you View numbers of reports received by the MHRA to medicines and vaccines The updated App is more stable, easier to navigate and simplifies reporting. The App also allows users to view MHRA newsfeed articles and monthly Drug Safety Updates.
Tapentadol – Risk of Seizures & Serotonin Syndrome
Following an EU-wide review of safety data and spontaneous reports of serious adverse events, European & UK regulators have strengthened warnings about the risks of both seizures and serotonin syndrome associated with the tramadol-like opioid tapentadol. Regulators have provided the following advice for Healthcare Professionals: tapentadol, like all opioid medicines, can induce seizures tapentadol should be prescribed with care in patients with a history of seizure disorders or epilepsy tapentadol may increase seizure risk in patients taking other medicines that lower seizure threshold, for example, antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs & TCAs, and antipsychotics serotonin syndrome has been reported whentapentadol is […]