Safety first!

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published Drug Safety Update for July 2009 (PDF).

This issue contains advice that the combination of clopidogrel and PPIs should be avoidedunless considered essential due to an interaction that reduces efficacy of the clopidogrel. The evidence of clinical significance is not entirely conclusive but the needs for each of these drugs should be assessed and an alternative used where possible. Clinicians should considerif aspirin might be a suitable antithrombotic or if the PPI is still necessary.

The hot topic reviews the current risk-benefit ratio for long-acting beta agonists (LABA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stop press covers the following:

• Mycophenolate mofetil: pure red cell aplasia
• Hydroxycut range of food supplements: risk of liver damage
• Priadel Liquid: potential for dosing errors
• Clarification: ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists – use during breastfeeding

Hat tip: http://www.prescriber.org.uk/