{"id":1315,"date":"2017-12-08T13:00:36","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T13:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/?p=1315"},"modified":"2017-11-27T12:53:06","modified_gmt":"2017-11-27T12:53:06","slug":"news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-98","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/2017\/12\/08\/news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-98\/","title":{"rendered":"News and updates from www.palliativedrugs.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com,<\/strong><\/em>
\nthe world\u2019s leading palliative care website with over 30,000 members from 169 Countries.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Safety updates<\/h4>\n

Gabapentin: risk of severe respiratory depression<\/strong>
\nThe MHRA has highlighted a rare risk of severe respiratory depression in patients taking
\ngabapentin even without concomitant opioids<\/em>. Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients at
\nhigher risk of respiratory depression, including the elderly, those with compromised respiratory
\nfunction, respiratory or neurological disease, renal impairment, or taking other CNS depressants.
\nThis advice follows a European review and the SPC for gabapentin is being updated. For more
\ninformation, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Recombinant human erythropoietins: risk of severe cutaneous adverse reactions<\/strong>
\nMHRA has highlighted a very rare risk of severe cutaneous reactions in patients treated with any<\/em>
\nrecombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO). The product information is being updated. For more
\ninformation, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Solu-medrone 40mg: do not use in cows\u2019 milk allergy<\/strong>
\nSolu-Medrone 40mg (methylprednisolone injection) uses lactose produced from cows\u2019 milk as an
\nexcipient and may contain trace amounts of milk proteins. It should not be used in patients with a
\nknown or suspected allergy to cows\u2019 milk, as serious allergic reactions have been reported.
\nOther strengths of Solu-Medrone do not contain lactose. Lactose-containing methylprednisolone
\nmedicines will be reformulated to remove any trace of milk proteins. Companies have been asked
\nto take steps towards lactose-free formulations by 2019. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Clozapine: potentially fatal risk of intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction, and paralytic<\/strong>
\n ileus<\/strong>
\nMHRA has reminded health professionals that clozapine has been associated with varying
\ndegrees of impairment of intestinal peristalsis ranging from constipation (very common), to
\nintestinal obstruction, faecal impaction, and paralytic ileus (very rare). Patients should be advised
\nto report constipation immediately and it should be actively treated. Care should be taken in
\npatients receiving other drugs known to cause constipation (especially those with antimuscarinic
\nproperties), patients with a history of colonic disease or lower abdominal surgery, and in patients
\n\u226560 years. Clozapine is contra-indicated in patients with paralytic ileus. For more information, click
\nhere<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hot topics<\/h4>\n

Gabapentin and pregabalin consultation on proposals to schedule under Misuse of Drugs<\/strong>
\n Regulations<\/strong>
\nThe government has opened a consultation on proposals to schedule gabapentin and pregabalin
\nunder the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. The preferred option, as recommended by the
\nAdvisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is that these drugs should be controlled as
\nClass C drugs (under the Misuse of drugs Act 1971) and placed in Schedule 3 (to the Misuse of
\nDrugs Regulations 2001). Comments are welcome from all interested parties by 22 January 2018.
\nFor more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Assessing fitness to drive: a guide for medical professionals<\/strong>
\nThis government document, published in 2016, has recently been updated in the section entitled ‘Excessive sleepiness including obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome’. For more information, click
\nhere.<\/a><\/p>\n

Drug updates<\/h4>\n

Authorized quetiapine oral suspension now available<\/strong>
\nQuetiapine oral suspension 100mg\/5mL (Rosemont Pharmaceuticals) is now available as an
\nauthorized product.
\nQuetiapine (generic)<\/strong>
\nTablets<\/strong> 25mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg, 28 days @ 100mg b.d.= \u00a31.50.
\nOral suspension<\/strong> 12.5mg\/5mL, 25mg\/5mL, 50mg\/5mL, 28 days @ 100mg b.d.= \u00a3204
\n(unauthorized, available as a special order); price based on community specials tariff<\/em>.
\nOral suspension<\/strong> 100mg\/5mL, 28 days @ 100mg b.d.= \u00a3177.
\nFor the SPC, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

US approves pregabalin modified-release tablets<\/strong>
\nPregabalin modified-release tablets (Lyrica CR; Pfizer) have been approved in the US. They are
\nauthorized for once daily management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral
\nneuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia. The modified-release tablets are available as 82.5mg,
\n165mg and 330mg and should be given once daily after the evening meal. For the US prescribing
\ninformation, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AWMSG: Noqdirna accepted for use<\/strong>
\nThe All Wales medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) has accepted Noqdirna (desmopressin oral
\nlyophilisate), for restricted use in patients \u226565y only, for the symptomatic treatment of nocturia due
\nto idiopathic nocturnal polyuria in adults .For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Paracetamol infusion risk management<\/strong>
\nRisk management material for paracetamol 10mg\/mL infusion has been produced by Actavis,
\nhighlighting the risks of dosing error and providing guidelines for correct administration. For more
\ninformation, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Latest additions<\/h4>\n

PCF6 now available!<\/strong>
\nWe are delighted to announce the publication of the 6th edition of the Palliative Care Formulary
\n(PCF6) book. PCF6 print edition is available to purchase via our website store<\/a> at a cost of \u00a355
\n(including P+P in the UK). As well as being extensively updated, PCF6 has been re-organised into
\na more user-friendly format and contains new monographs. Please note if you require bulk
\npurchases please contact hq@palliativedrugs.com<\/a> to discuss your requirements. The on-line
\nversion of the Palliative Care formulary is always the most up to date version and is regularly
\nupdated. PCF6 print version reflects the content of the on-line version as of the end of September
\n2017. Individual annual access to this continually updated resource remains at \u00a350. For more
\ninformation and details of combination packages, see our website store<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hyoscine butylbromide injection in palliative care \u2013 What is your experience?<\/strong>
\nResults from our survey (May-August 2017), click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Prepared by Sarah Charlesworth and Andrew Wilcock<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com, the world\u2019s leading palliative care website with over 30,000 members from 169 Countries. Safety updates Gabapentin: risk of severe respiratory depression The MHRA has highlighted a rare risk of severe respiratory depression in patients taking gabapentin even without concomitant opioids. Dose adjustments may be […]<\/p>\n

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