tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-updateDrug Safety Update about Pharmacy2026-05-11T14:29:47+01:00HM Governmenttag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/finasteride-and-dutasteride-updated-safety-warnings-for-psychiatric-side-effects-and-sexual-dysfunction2026-05-11T14:29:47+01:00Finasteride and Dutasteride – updated safety warnings for psychiatric side effects and sexual dysfunctionThe MHRA has reviewed the evidence for finasteride and dutasteride and the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and has recommended further measures to minimise this risk. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/nasal-decongestant-sprays-and-drops-containing-xylometazoline-hydrochloride-slash-oxymetazoline-hydrochloride-increased-risk-of-rebound-congestion-rhinitis-medicamentosa-and-tachyphylaxis-with-overuse2026-04-30T14:01:45+01:00Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride / oxymetazoline hydrochloride: increased risk of rebound congestion, rhinitis medicamentosa, and tachyphylaxis with overuse There have been reports of worsening nasal congestion (rebound congestion) when the effects of nasal decongestant sprays or drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride and oxymetazoline hydrochloride, wear off.tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/falsified-mounjaro-kwikpen-15mg-pre-filled-pens2026-02-24T14:00:08+00:00Falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens A falsified version of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) KwikPen 15mg solution for injection has been found supplied through one online pharmacy in the UK. The falsified product is labelled with batch D873576 and applies to Mounjaro Kw…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/semaglutide-wegovy-ozempic-and-rybelsus-risk-of-non-arteritic-anterior-ischemic-optic-neuropathy-naion2026-02-05T13:24:42+00:00Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that can cause sudden deterioration in vision, usually in one eye at a time, has been very rarely reported in association with semaglutide in the treatmen…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/glp-1-receptor-agonists-and-dual-glp-1-slash-gip-receptor-agonists-strengthened-warnings-on-acute-pancreatitis-including-necrotising-and-fatal-cases2026-01-29T14:07:50+00:00GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: strengthened warnings on acute pancreatitis, including necrotising and fatal casesThe product information for all Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists has been further updated to highlight the potential risk o…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/isotretinoin-changes-to-prescribing-guidance-and-additional-risk-minimisation-measures2026-01-22T16:15:32+00:00Isotretinoin – changes to prescribing guidance and additional risk minimisation measuresThe Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has endorsed changes to the risk minimisation measures for isotretinoin, following a review of the impact of the measures implemented in 2023. We ask healthcare professionals to review…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/rybelsus-r-semaglutide-tablets-transition-to-new-formulation-and-risk-of-medication-error2025-12-17T14:17:47+00:00Rybelsus ® (semaglutide tablets): transition to new formulation and risk of medication errorThere is a risk of patient harm arising through medication error during a transition period where the original and new formulation of Rybelsus ® tablets, which have different stated mg doses but are bioequivalent, will both …tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/mesalazine-and-idiopathic-intracranial-hypertension2025-12-04T14:00:32+00:00Mesalazine and idiopathic intracranial hypertensionIdiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has been very rarely reported in patients treated with mesalazine. Following a recent review, warnings for IIH are being added to the product information for all mesalazine products…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/isotretinoin-updates-to-prescribing-guidance-and-survey-of-services2025-10-27T11:00:14+00:00Isotretinoin – updates to prescribing guidance and survey of servicesThe Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has endorsed changes to isotretinoin prescribing guidance. In addition, CHM is seeking further information from dermatology services who prescribe isotretinoin to inform any future cha…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/number-medsafetyweek-3-9-november-2025-a-call-to-action-to-improve-patient-safety2025-10-23T14:00:13+01:00#MedSafetyWeek (3-9 November 2025): A call to action to improve patient safetyThe annual #MedSafetyWeek campaign takes place from 3 to 9 November 2025. This year’s campaign theme is ‘we can all help make medicines safer.’tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/paracetamol-and-pregnancy-reminder-that-taking-paracetamol-during-pregnancy-remains-safe2025-09-23T17:41:18+01:00Paracetamol and pregnancy - reminder that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safePatients should be reminded and reassured that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice pain reliever for pregnant women, used at…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/valproate-belvo-convulex-depakote-dyzantil-epilim-epilim-chrono-or-chronosphere-episenta-epival-and-syonellv-updated-safety-and-educational-materials-to-support-patient-discussion-on-reproductive-risks2025-06-10T12:02:24+01:00Valproate (Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and Syonell▼): updated safety and educational materials to support patient discussion on reproductive risksUpdated safety and educational materials are now available to support the implementation of the regulatory measures announced in the November 2023 National Patient Safety Alert and the September 2024 Drug Safety Update. They…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/kaftriov-ivacaftor-tezacaftor-elexacaftor-risk-of-psychological-side-effects2025-05-07T13:59:47+01:00Kaftrio▼ (Ivacaftor, tezacaftor, elexacaftor): risk of psychological side effectsPsychological side effects such as anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbance, poor concentration, and forgetfulness have been infrequently reported in people with cystic fibrosis treated with Kaftrio. Healthcare professionals sho…tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/drug-safety-update/short-acting-beta-2-agonists-saba-salbutamol-and-terbutaline-reminder-of-the-risks-from-overuse-in-asthma-and-to-be-aware-of-changes-in-the-saba-prescribing-guidelines2025-04-24T12:02:48+01:00Short-acting beta 2 agonists (SABA) (salbutamol and terbutaline): reminder of the risks from overuse in asthma and to be aware of changes in the SABA prescribing guidelinesHealthcare professionals and patients are reminded of the risk of severe asthma attacks and increased mortality associated with overuse of SABA with or without anti-inflammatory maintenance therapy in patients with asthma. H…