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…
Aminoglycosides are potent, broad-spectrum class antibiotics which act by inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. These are traditional antibacterial medications for gram-negative bacterial infections. Antibacterial medicines coming under this class of ‘aminoglycosides’ are gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, and neomycin. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – United Kingdom regulatory health authority released a drug safety update…
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are antidepressant class of medications used in the treatment of depression. They act by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain for therapeutic effect. United Kingdom health authority – Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released a drug safety…
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…
Antihistamines are class of medications which are commonly used in getting relief from allergic symptoms. The most common therapeutic/adverse effect produced by antihistaminergic drugs is drowsiness (sleepiness). These sedating antihistaminic drugs are available as over the counter (OTC) medicine category and can be used for a range of conditions in both adults and children. MedSafe,…
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…
A direct health care professional communication (DHPC) released by Novartis in liaison with European medicines agency (EMA) and some of national competent authorities in Europe to disseminate important safety information pertaining to drug (fingolimod) induced liver injury to alert healthcare professionals for a careful benefit -risk analysis and early implementation of risk minimization measures for…