Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com, the world’s leading palliative care website.

Safety updates

MHRA warns against Butterbur herbal remedies

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned people not to take Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) herbal remedies due to the risk of hepatic toxicity. Products containing butterbur are being marketed in the UK, most commonly for the treatment of migraine and hayfever. However, none are licensed under the Traditional Herbal Registration Scheme. For more information click here.

FDA safety communication on PPIs and clostridium difficile diarrhoea

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued a safety communication stating that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea. For more information click here.

Epistatus® buccal liquid – temporary change to syringe size

The oral syringe supplied with the UK unlicensed midazolam buccal liquid 10mg/mL, 5mL bottle (Epistatus®) has temporarily changed in size from 1mL to 1.5mL. This modification was made in order to allow measurement of an adult dose of midazolam up to 15mg. However, in response to customer feedback the manufacturer (Special Products Ltd) has reverted back to the 1mL syringe size. The new 1mL syringes will have a non-luer tip. Extra care should be taken when measuring and patients should be made aware that the syringe size supplied may vary. For more information click here.

Prepared by Sarah Charlesworth and Andrew Wilcock