UK MHRA Drug Safety Update (Volume 7, Issue 12)

Drug safety advice

 

• Drugs and driving: blood concentration limits to be set for certain controlled drugs in a new legal offence

The Department of Transport has introduced a new offence of driving with certain controlled drugs above specified limits in the blood; this is likely to come into force on 2 March 2015. The list of drugs includes some licensed medicines.

 

• Intravenous dantrolene: risk of undissolved crystals—use a filter needle when drawing up reconstituted dantrolene solution

Some newly issued vials of intravenous dantrolene may contain crystals of undissolved dantrolene sodium following reconstitution. Draw up the reconstituted solution with a filter needle to prevent these crystals from being administered to patients.

 

Stop Press

 

• Transdermal fentanyl “patches”: reminder of potential for life-threatening harm from accidental exposure, particularly in children 

Accidental exposure to transdermal fentanyl can occur if a patch is swallowed or transferred to another individual.

 

• Administration errors with drugs for infusion: ensure appropriate checking procedures are in place

Take care to ensure that checking procedures are in place to reduce the risk of administration errors with drugs for infusion.

 

Other information from the MHRA

 

• Medicines learning modules

We have updated our popular learning module on opioids.

 

 

Posted on the UK MHRA website on 21 July 2014