Safety update: Risk of venous thromboembolism with Dienogest: Product label update Dienogest is an oral a progestogen used for contraception in the two below combinations- Valette (dienogest/ethinylestradiol) is indicated for oral contraception and treatment of mild-moderate acne in women wanting contraception Qlaira (dienogest/estradiol valerate) is indicated for oral contraception and treatment of heavy or prolonged…
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medicine been in the market for more than 25 years with the brand name Lamictal and also available in generics. It is used in the treatment of epileptic seizures and also as maintenance treatment for delaying the occurrence of mood episodes such as depression, mania, or hypomania in patients with the…
United States Food & Drug administration (USFDA) released a drug safety communication to bring more awareness on potential drug misuse and abuse of propylhexedrine associated with serious complications like abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, and paranoia. It is marketed under the brand name Benzedrex. Propylhexedrine is a nasal decongestant available in the retail pharmacy…
European Medicine Agency (EMA) released a direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) pertaining to the risk of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with Zolgensma gene therapy to bring increased awareness of TMA for patients receiving onasemnogene abeparvovec. Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) is a gene therapy medication used in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy indicated for children of…
Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and anxiolytic medication used in the treatment of epileptic seizures, neuropathic pain, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, and generalized anxiety disorder. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication used in the treatment of partial seizures and neuropathic pain. Both Pregabalin and gabapentin which are referred as “gabapentinoids” acts on voltage dependent calcium channels in…
A direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) released by Swissmedic, Switzerland health authority pertaining to a safety concern – severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR) associated with Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) use. Atezolizumab is an anticancer medicine available with the brand name – Tecentriq®. It is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung…
European Medicines Agency (EMA) released a direct health care professional letter (DHPC) pertaining to the risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) by metamizole. We encourage all health care professionals to be aware of this new safety alert and to disseminate this significant information to the relevant stakeholders for a better patient safety. Metamizole (also known…
Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator which acts by preventing the effects of the female progesterone hormone. This medicine is available in two brand names in market for the below two different therapeutic uses. Esmya® tablets comprising 5 mg ulipristal acetate and therapeutically indicated for Uterine fibroids. It is used for the treatment…
Arsenic trioxide is a chemotherapeutic medication used in the treatment of newly diagnosed low-to-intermediate risk acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) and relapsed/refractory APL characterized by the presence of leukaemia/retinoic-acid-receptor-alpha (PML/RAR-alpha) gene. The initial approved formulation available in market for arsenic trioxide is 1 mg/ml single-use 10 ml of glass ampoule (This formulation comprises 10 mg of…
Biogen released a direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) pertaining to the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) to alert healthcare professionals for safe usage of this medicine and implementing the recommended risk minimizing measures. This DHPC released in agreement with European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national health authority of Ireland…