Methylprednisolone injectable medicine containing lactose (Solu-Medrone 40 mg): do not use in patients with cows’ milk allergy
Solu-Medrone 40 mg may contain trace amounts of milk proteins.
Gabapentin (Neurontin): risk of severe respiratory depression
Gabapentin has been associated with a rare risk of severe respiratory depression even without concomitant opioid medicines.
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane): rare reports of erectile dysfunction and decreased libido
Cases of sexual dysfunction, predominantly involving erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, have been reported rarely in patients taking oral isotretinoin for severe acne.
Clozapine: reminder of potentially fatal risk of intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction, and paralytic ileus
If constipation occurs during treatment with clozapine (Clozaril, Denzapine, Zaponex), it is vital that it is recognised and actively treated.
Letters sent to healthcare professionals in September 2017
Letters were sent in September about Dacogen (decitabine), Eperzan▼(albiglutide), ERWINASE, ReoPro (abciximab), and recombinant human erythropoietins.
Medical Device Alerts issued in September 2017
Alerts were recently issued about Accu-Chek insulin pumps, Astral lung ventilators, and IntelliVue patient monitors used with 12-lead ECG.