On 23-Jul-2020, United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has released a recommendation for the use of Naloxone in the treatment of opioid use disorder and for patients who are at increased risk of opioid overdose. Opioids are a class of drugs which are used to reduce moderate to severe pain in patients who are…
A new drug safety signal identified by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), Sweden a WHO Collaborating Centre for international service and scientific research within the field of pharmacovigilance. This safety signal is identified from the VigiBase, a global drug safety database maintained by UMC on behalf of WHO and published in the WHO Pharmaceuticals newsletter…
The safety profiles of the below listed Iodine containing contrast agents have updated as per the new drug safety updates published by Japan Health Authority–Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Iodixanol: Iodixanol comes under the therapeutic category of x-ray contrast media which is a hydrophilic iodinated radiocontrast agent used in diagnostic imaging. This compound is…
PvPI-Pharmacovigilance Programme for India is a national drug safety monitoring center for India maintained by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) located at Ghaziabad. As part of routine analysis of individual case safety reports (reports of adverse drug event/reactions from a patient) originated from India, PvPI has identified and released two new drug safety alerts for the…
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial class of drug which is used in the treatment and prevention of acute attacks of malaria. It is also used to treat discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, porphyria cutanea tarda and Q fever. Hydroxychloroquine acts by increasing pH within intracellular vacuoles and alter processes such as protein…
Health Canada has published new drug safety information to raise awareness to health care professionals and public about the below safety concern which recently made safety labelling changes for the product monograph. –Health Product Info Watch –June 2020. The safety topics discussed below in brief. Pulmonary edema risk with amlodipine Risks of artery dissection and…
The Malaysian Health Authority-National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia released the following new drug safety alerts during the month of June. Restriction of domperidone use in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age Risk of oculogyric crisis associated with metoclopramide use (a reminder) Restriction of domperidone use in pediatric patients…
MedSafe- Health Authority of New Zealand government has released the below drug safety information in their latest issue-June-2020 to update public-(health care professionals & consumers) about the safe use of medicines. Tramadol use Contradicted in children & elder patients (<75 y) Oral cleft defects associated with ondansetron Tramadol use Contradicted in children &…
The national regulatory body for Indian pharmaceuticals and medical devices- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has provided approval as part of restricted & emergency use authorization for the below two medicines considering the unmet medical need for treatment of COVID-19 infected patients- Favipiravir Tablets for mild to moderate COVID-19 infection subject to various conditions…
European medicines agency has released a new Issue (135-June-2020) for medicine updates. The drug safety updates from this issue were discussed below in brief. Fatal Drug Interactions between fluoropyrimidines and brivudine Risk of breast cancer with hormone replacement therapy Potential medication errors with Leuprorelin depot medicines Fatal Drug Interactions between fluoropyrimidines and brivudine European…