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Drug Safety Update
Volume 5, Issue 10 May 2012
Latest advice for medicines users
Welcome to the latest issue of Drug Safety Update
May 2012 (Volume 5, Issue 10)
Drug Safety Update is essential reading for all healthcare professionals, bringing you the very latest information and advice to support the safer use of medicines.
Drug safety advice
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Fingolimod (Gilenya▼): not recommended for patients at known risk of cardiovascular adverse events. New advice for extended early monitoring for those with significant bradycardia or heart block after the first dose.
Fingolimod is known to cause transient bradycardias and heart block after the first dose. Fingolimod is now not recommended in patient groups at high risk of cardiovascular adverse events, such as those with significant QT prolongation or history of bradycardia, ischaemic heart disease, cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and those receiving antiarrhythmic or heart-rate lowering drugs. -
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors: serious cases of keratitis and ulcerative keratitis
Keratitis and ulcerative keratitis have been reported following treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors for cancer, such as panitumumab (Vectibix). In rare cases, this has resulted in corneal perforation and blindness. -
Strontium ranelate (Protelos): should not be used in patients with current or previous venous thromboembolism (VTE) or temporary or permanent immobilisation because of risk of VTE. Rare serious skin reactions may occur within the first weeks of treatment.
Strontium ranelate (Protelos) is known to increase the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and should not be used in patients with current or previous VTE, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, or in patients with temporary or permanent immobilisation (eg post-surgical recovery or prolonged bed rest). The need for continued treatment with strontium ranelate should also be re-evaluated in patients over 80 years who have been diagnosed at risk of VTE. -
Domperidone: small risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death
Some epidemiological studies have shown that domperidone may be associated with a small increased risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death. These risks may be higher in patients older than 60 years and in patients who receive daily oral doses of more than 30 mg.
Hot topics
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Antipsychotics: initiative to reduce prescribing to older people with dementia
Antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular adverse events and greater mortality rates when used in older people with dementia, and the associated risks outweigh the benefits in most of these patients. A current government strategy aims to reduce the use of antipsychotics in this population.
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22 May 2012
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