Drug Safety Update: Volume 3, Issue 4, November 2009

In this issue

Drug safety advice

• Bisphosphonates: osteonecrosis of the jaw
• Vigabatrin for infantile spasms: risk of movement disorders and MRI abnormalities
• Colchicine: reminder on risk of serious and fatal toxicity in overdose
• Orciprenaline sulphate (Alupent): withdrawal due to unfavourable benefit-risk profile

Yellow Card Scheme update

• MHRA Swine Flu ADR Portal now extended to include reporting of suspected reactions to swine influenza vaccines

Hot topics

• Medical and non-medical prescribing: mixing medicines in clinical practice
• Statins: updated product information on adverse reactions in patient leaflets

Stop press

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu): update to Patient Information Leaflet

Other information from the MHRA

• Patient Information Leaflet of the month: Zocor Heart-Pro
• Introduction of the Traditional Herbal Registration Certification Mark