Safety First!

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

This issue contains stop press information about a potential interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors, counterfeit NovoFine^® needles and hepatitis risk from incorrect use of lancet devices. Drug safety advice covers the following areas:

• Antipsychotics: risk of venous thromboembolic events
• Chloral hydrate and Triclofos: not first-line options for insomnia
• Oral salicylate gels: not for use in those younger than age 16 years
• Topical ketoprofen: reminder on risk of photosensitivity reactions

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