NICE evidence summary of oral magnesium glycerophosphate use

31st January 2013

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published its evidence summary for the use of unauthorized (unlicensed) oral magnesium glycerophosphate for preventing recurrent hypomagnesaemia.

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Guide on advance decisions to refuse treatment

31st January 2013

The National Council for Palliative Care and the NHS National End of Life Care Programme have produced a guide for health professionals on advance decisions to refuse treatment (ADRT). This guide supersedes the 2008 version. 

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Die November/Dezember Ausgabe des APM Newsletter ist fertig

22nd January 2013

The November/December issue of the APM Newsletter for German-speaking users of www.palliativedrugs.com is available.
Die November/Dezember Ausgabe des APM Newsletter ist fertig. Über die aktuelle Ausgaben des Newsletters wird Sie das Bulletin Board informieren.

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Glycopyrronium bromide inhaler launched in UK

15th January 2013

A glycopyrronium bromide hard capsule powder inhaler (Seebri Breezhaler, Novartis) has been launched in the UK and is authorized for maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The recommended dose is the inhalation of one 50microgram hard capsule once daily, this delivers a dose of 44micrograms of glycopyrronium. The NHS cost of an inhaler plus 30 capsules = £28.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Seebri Breezhaler for use within NHS Scotland for the authorized indication.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) has produced a new medicine evidence summary for this product which can be accessed from the link below.

SPC for glycopyrronium hard capsule powder inhaler

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Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and eslicarbazepine risk of serious skin reactions

10th January 2013

The December MHRA Drug Safety Update has highlighted the risk of serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and eslicarbazepine in patients with European descent or Japanese origin who have the HLA-A*3101 genetic marker.

The risk of serious skin reactions with these drugs is known to be associated with patients of Asian origin who have the genetic marker HLA-B*1502, and screening is recommended for patients of Han Chinese or Thai origin before treatment with these drugs.

There are currently insufficient data to support screening for the HLA-A*3101 genetic marker before treatment. Current advice is that patients of European descent or Japanese origin who are known to have the genetic marker HLA-A*3101 should only receive carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine after careful consideration of the benefits and risks.

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Magnesium therapeutic review

8th January 2013

A therapeutic review on magnesium has been published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM):

Crosby V. et al (2013) Therapeutic Reviews: Magnesium. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 45: 137-144.

This is the 12th article in the series; previous ones include Octreotide (July 2010), Propofol (September 2010), Psychostimulants (November 2010), Thalidomide (January 2011), Ketamine (March 2011), Antipsychotics (May 2011), Loperamide (August 2011), Anti-epileptics (November 2011), Stimulant laxatives (February 2012), Fentanyl; transmucosal (July 2012) and Antidepressant drugs (November 2012). All are based on monographs featured in the Palliative Care Formulary.

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