Drug safety advice
Orlistat may theoretically reduce the absorption of antiretroviral HIV medicines. Initiate orlistat treatment only after careful consideration of the possible impact on efficacy of antiretroviral HIV medicines.
St John’s wort interacts with hormonal contraceptives. This interaction reduces the effectiveness of these contraceptives and increases the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
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The European Medicines Agency considered that strontium ranelate should only be used by people for whom there are no other treatments for osteoporosis. The cardiovascular risks identified with strontium ranelate may be sufficiently reduced in this population by restricting its use to people without cardiovascular contraindications and by monitoring cardiovascular risk regularly.
There is a risk of fibrosis associated with methysergide (Deseril) treatment. Methysergide should only be used for the prophylactic treatment of severe intractable migraine and episodic and chronic cluster headache in adults when treatment with standard medicines has failed.
A new pipette design was introduced in February 2014 as an interim measure. The instructions for using the new design are enclosed in the product packaging. The old pipette design is now being withdrawn.
Other information from the MHRA
Clarification of advice regarding what contraception a woman should use instead of CHCs in the event of: major surgery; a period of prolonged immobilisation; or if she smokes and is older than 35 years.