Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com, the world’s leading palliative care website.
Drug updates
DTB Sativex in multiple sclerosis
The latest Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) examines the place of the cannabinoid product, Sativex (GW Pharma, UK) in multiple sclerosis. For more information click here.
Glycopyrronium bromide inhaler launched in UK
A glycopyrronium bromide hard capsule powder inhaler (Seebri Breezhaler, Novartis) has been launched in the UK as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The recommended dose is 50microgram once daily. The NHS cost of an inhaler plus 30 capsules = £28. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Seebri Breezhaler for use within NHS Scotland. For the SPC, click here.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) has produced a new medicine evidence summary for this product which can be accessed from the here.
Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and eslicarbazepine risk of serious skin reactions
The December Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Drug Safety Update has highlighted the risk of serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and eslicarbazepine in patients with European descent or Japanese origin who have the HLA-A*3101 genetic marker. The risk of serious skin reactions with these drugs is known to be associated with patients of Asian origin who have the genetic marker HLA-B*1502, and screening is recommended for patients of Han Chinese or Thai origin before treatment with these drugs.
There are currently insufficient data to support screening for the HLA-A*3101 genetic marker before treatment. Current advice is that patients of European descent or Japanese origin who are known to have the genetic marker HLA-A*3101 should only receive carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine after careful consideration of the benefits and risks.
NICE evidence summary of oral magnesium glycerophosphate use
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published its evidence summary for the use of unauthorized (unlicensed) oral magnesium glycerophosphate for preventing recurrent hypomagnesaemia.
Prepared by Sarah Charlesworth and Andrew Wilcock