Monthly Archives: August 2004

Centocor have issued guidance (through the FDA) about potentially fatal cases of leucopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia which have been seen in some patients being treated with infliximab. There is also an update on cases of CNS manifestations of systemic … Continue reading →

A poster presentation of an FDA funded observational study at the The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology in Bordeaux, France has revealed interesting news about rofecoxib (Vioxx®). “The most important finding in this study, involving almost 1.4 million … Continue reading →

A study in Japan has reported a higher rate of potentially fatal interstitial pneumonia than previously demonstrated with gefitinib (IressaTM. The Japanese Health Ministry believes the clinical benefits of Iressa continue to outweigh the risks. Via DrugInfoZone.

Aventis warn of the need for a dosage adjustment in patient with creatinine clearance http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/Lovenox_HCP.pdf

DrugInfoZone report on a case of confusion between two similar sounding drugs: “Abbot Laboratories has said that it has received reports of a small number of medication dispensing errors in the US involving its product KaletraTM (lopinavir/ritonavir) and KeppraTM (levetiracetam) … Continue reading →

ADRAC have published their latest edition of their bulletin, featuring Cardiac valvulopathy with pergolide Clopidogrel – haemorrhage and haematological disorders Pulmonary toxicity with long-term nitrofurantoin Tramadol-warfarin interaction

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have issued a reminder of their plan to review the available evidence relating to the hepatotoxicity of Kava-kava. This is to allow a judgement to be made about the current controls on … Continue reading →

The MHRA have drawn attention to the risk of irreversible liver failure associated with Shubao slimming capsules. “The product is suspected to contain nitrosofenfluramine, a drug closely related to fenfluramine and which is toxic to the liver.” Pharmaceutical Journal.

The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre, Lareb, report 5 cases of photo-onycholysis associated with the use of doxycycline in the BMJ.