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Prescriber Update Articles

These articles are published in Prescriber Update, a publication of Medsafe.  Prescriber Update is distributed by Medsafe to all prescribers and pharmacies in New Zealand.  

Prescriber Update articles are written for doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals in the interests of safer, more effective use of medicines and treatments.  Consumers should contact their doctor or pharmacist if any of the articles raise queries regarding their health, treatment or use of medicines.

To find articles about a particular medicine in the lists below, you can use the 'find' function in your browser.  To do this in Internet Explorer, go to 'Edit' on the Menu bar (or in Netscape Navigator, go to 'Search' on Menu bar) then to 'Find on this page'.  Type in the name of the medicine you are looking for an article about, then click on 'Find next'.  

Most recent issue of Prescriber Update available in PDF format (Acrobat Reader required for viewing): 

• Prescriber Update June 2008 (337KB) New

Link to PDFs of previous issues of Prescriber Update (Acrobat Reader required for viewing)

These articles have been published within the last six months:

• Watching Briefs  (June 2008)  New
  • Omeprazole and headaches
  • Tamoxifen and visual changes – investigate promptly
  • Amiodarone and lung toxicity – ongoing patient monitoring required
  • Roxithromycin-warfarin interaction of increased INR
  • Use of clozapine in older people requires extra care
  • Myocardial infarction with glitazones
  • Update on cough and cold products
  • Imiquimod cream – skin pigmentation changes and flu-like symptoms
  • Concomitant parenteral administration of ceftriaxone and calcium
  • Memory loss and depression with lipid-lowering agents
  • Codeine in breastfeeding – risk of fatal infant morphine toxicity
  • Graseby syringe driver update
• Tumour Necrosis Factor Inhibitors – Recognise And Treat Infection Promptly  New
• SSRI Use In Pregnancy – Collaborative Decision-Making Is Key  New
• Impulsive Behaviours With Dopamine Agonists New
• Clozapine And Achy Breaky Hearts (Myocarditis And Cardiomyopathy)  New
• Leflunomide – Update On Serious Toxicity  New
• Non-Selective NSAIDS – Cardiovascular, Skin And Gastrointestinal Risks  New

Alphabetical listing of articles by subject matter (usually the medicine):

• ACE Inhibitors in Early Pregnancy (Dec 1998)
• Adverse Reactions of Current Concern (updated Apr 2004)
  (please use the back button in your browser to return to this page)
• Your Guide to Adverse Reaction Reporting (Sept 2001)
• Alendronate and Inflammatory Adverse Reactions (May 2006)
• Alendronate and Oesophageal Ulceration (Apr 1998)
• Keep an Eye on Amiodarone Patients (Feb 2005) 
• Watching Briefs - Ototoxicity with aminoglycoside ear drops (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Anticonvulsant Hypersensitivity Syndrome (Apr 1998)
• Health Professional letter re. Updated information and advice about the use of antidepressant medicines (19 Oct 2004) 129KB PDF - Acrobat Reader required to view
• Diabetes and Antipsychotic Drugs (Nov 2004) 
• Atypical Antipsychotics May Cause Hypertension (Apr 2003)
• Hyperprolactinaemia with Antipsychotics (May 2001)  
• Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Benefits and Risks (May 1999)
• Hepatitis B reactivation associated with the anti-TNF agents, Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab) and Remicade (infliximab) - letter sent to specialists (Nov 2006) 
  145KB PDF - Acrobat Reader required to view
• Azathioprine-Allopurinol Interaction:  Danger! (Dec 1998)
• Resensitisation to Bee and Wasp Venom (Mar 1999)
• Adverse Respiratory Reactions to Long-acting Beta-agonists (May 1999)
• Diarrhoea with Beta-blockers - Blast from the Past (Apr 2004)
• Osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphosphonates - putting the risk in perspective (Oct 2007)
• Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaws -  article published by the NZ Dental Association (July 2006)
  Reprinted from NZDA News, June 2006, Volume 130, pp 36-37 with permission from the New Zealand Dental Association. 156KB PDF - Acrobat Reader required to view
• Also Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw (May 2006)
• Bupropion (Zyban™) for Second-Line Treatment Only (Sept 2001)
• Too Much Caffeine (Aug 1999)
• The Safety of Calcium Antagonists: An Update (Jan 2000)
• Helping Medicine Capsules Go Down (May 2003)
• Potentially Serious Adverse Effects of Carbamazepine: Blood Dyscrasias and Skin Rash (Apr 1999)
• Psychiatric reactions with cholesterol-lowering agents (Nov 2006)
• Indication Changes for Cisapride (Nov 2000)
• Cisapride and Arrhythmias (Nov 1999)
• Clozapine: Fatal 'constipation' more common than fatal agranulocytosis (Mar 2007)
• Clozapine Patients Presenting with Symptoms of Infection (Nov 2004) 
• Clozapine and Cardiac Safety: Updated Advice for Prescribers (May 2003) 
• Potentially fatal complications of clozapine therapy: myocarditis, venous thromboembolism and constipation (Oct 2000)
• Clozapine and Hyperglycaemia (May 1999)
• Colchicine – safe use is critical (June 2006)
• Colchicine: Lower doses for greater safety (Nov 2005)
• Colchicine Toxicity Prompts Dosage Change (Dec 1998)
• Reminder about obtaining patient consent (Nov 2005)
• Topical Corticosteroids: Face Facts (Dec 2005)
• Inhaled Corticosteroids - Watch for Skin Atrophy (Mar 2004)
• Growth Retardation with Inhaled and Intranasal Corticosteroids (Sept 2001)
• Counterfeit Medicines - Don't Fake Concern (Jun 2005) 
• COX-2 inhibitors:
  Update on COX-2 inhibitors (Nov 2005)
  Prescribing restrictions for all COX-2 inhibitors (April 2005)
  COX-2 Inhibitors - Where to From Here? (Nov 2004) 
  Visual Disturbances with COX-2 Inhibitors (Mar 2004)
  COX-2 Inhibitors and Hepatotoxicity (Apr 2003)
  Interaction between COX-2 inhibitors and Warfarin (Sept 2001)
  Acute Psychiatric Reactions with COX-2 Inhibitors (June 2002)
  Can Patients Stomach COX-2 Inhibitors? (June 2002)
• Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions: More than skin deep (Nov 2005)
• Syncope and Dementia Treatment - Catching the Falls (Jun 2005) 
• Update on Valvular Abnormalities with Dexfenfluramine and Fenfluramine (July 2000) 
• Valvular Abnormalities with Dexfenfluramine and Fenfluramine (Jun 1999)
• Dextropropoxyphene-Paracetamol Combination Products and Risk Of Overdose (Oct 2006)
• Doxazosin and the ALLHAT study (Dec 2000)
• Doxycycline and Oesophageal Ulceration (Dec 1999)
• Oesophagitis with Doxycycline and Others (Oct 2003)
• Watching Briefs - Eltroxin tablets: new formulation so don't halve or crush (Oct/Nov 2007)
• EMLA Cream Safe & Effective (But Caution in the First Three Months of Life) (Nov 1999)
• Watch for muscle disorders with ezetimibe too (Nov 2006)
• Potential for Flu Vaccine Interactions Exists (Oct 2004)
• Agitation, Restlessness and Suicidal Behaviour with Fluoxetine, Paroxetine and Sertraline (Sept 2002)
• Glitazones: Fluid Retention, Cardiac Failure and Macular Oedema (Nov 2007)
• Parenteral Gold and Acute Vasodilatory Reactions (Mar 1999)
• HRT (hormone replacement therapy):
  HRT - New advice from the Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee (Nov 2003) 
  Hormone Replacement Therapy - Rapid Review (Nov 2002)
  Letter to Health Professionals about HRT (Sept 2002)
  Updated HRT Guideline Released (June 2001)
  HRT & Breast Cancer, Endometrial Cancer & Venous Thromboembolism (Apr 1998)
• Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome (Oct 2003)
• Poorly Recognised Adverse Effects of Inhaled Corticosteroids (Apr 1998)
• Prescribing and Buying Medicine on the Internet - A Risky Business (Dec 2005)
• Isotretinoin - contraception is critical (Nov 2005)
• Acne, Isotretinoin and Depression (Jun 2005) 
• Avoiding Teratogenicity with Isotretinoin (Aug 2002)
• Acute Depression and Isotretinoin (Dec 1998)
• Itraconazole-induced Congestive Heart Failure (Oct 2003)
• Watching Briefs - LABAs: reminder about safe prescribing (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Drug Safety in Lactation (May 2001)
• Leflunomide and Pneumonitis (Mar 2006)
• Leflunomide - watch for respiratory symptoms (Nov 2005)
• Leflunomide: Serious Multi-System Adverse Effects (Apr 2004)
• Metformin and Fatal Lactic Acidosis (Apr 1998)
• Cardiac Vigilance Recommended for Methadone (Nov 2005) 
• Miconazole - Warfarin Interaction Reminder (May 2003)
• I've Missed A Dose; What Should I Do? (May 2003)
• IMMP Insertion Studies of the Multiload Intrauterine Device (Oct 2003)
• Nevirapine (Viramune) - Methadone Interaction (Nov 1999)
• Nitrofurantoin – monitor lung function in long-term use (June 2006)
• Pulmonary Reactions with Nitrofurantoin (May 2002)
• NSAIAs can cause lower GIT damage  (May 2001)
• Necrotising Fasciitis Associated with NSAIDs (Oct 2000)
• NSAID-induced Bronchospasm - A Common & Serious Problem (Mar 1999)
• Endometrial Cancer and Low Potency Oestrogen (Dec 1999)
• Watching Briefs - Patient consent and off-label use of medicines (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Omeprazole May Elevate Clozapine Levels (Sept 2002)
• Omeprazole-induced interstitial nephritis (Nov 2000)
• Oral Contraceptives:
  Progestogen-Only Emergency Contraception and Ectopic Pregnancy (Oct 2002)
  Oral Contraceptives, HPV and Risk of Cervical Cancer (Oct 2002)
  Letter to Doctors/Midwives/Pharmacists about VTE with cyproterone-containing OCs (Mar 2002)
  Venous Thromboembolism with Diane 35™ and Estelle 35™ (Mar 2002)
  Ministry of Health (Medsafe) advice on the use of combined oral contraceptives (Mar 2002)
  Patient Info Leaflet - An Update on Oral Contraceptives and Blood Clots (Mar 2002)
  Letter to NZ doctors, midwives & pharmacists about third generation oral contraceptive pills (June 2000)
  Ministry of Health (Medsafe) advice on the use of combined oral contraceptives (June 2000)
  New Zealand Study of Deaths from Pulmonary Embolism in Women of Child-Bearing Age (June 2000)
  Update On Deaths With Third Generation Oral Contraceptives (May 1999)
  Avoiding Pregnancy Risk When Changing Oral Contraceptives (Mar 1999)
  Oral Contraceptives and Venous Thromboembolism (Feb 1999)
  Deaths with Third Generation Oral Contraceptives (Dec 1998)
  The Safety of Combined Oral Contraceptives - Ischaemic & Haemorrhagic Stroke, Breast & Cervical Cancer (Aug 1997)
  Advice on the Use of Combined Oral Contraceptives (July 1996)
  The Risk of Venous Thromboembolism with Third Generation Oral Contraceptives (Feb 1996)
  POPs: An Option Post-VTE  (June 2002)
• Drug-Induced Pancreatitis: An Unlucky DIP (Dec 2005)
• Care needed with liquid paracetamol dosing advice for children (Nov 2006)
• Peanut Allergy (October 2000)
• Death Associated with a Face Peeling Product Containing Phenol (Mar 1999)
• Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (Dec 1998)
• Watching Briefs - Prexige: monthly liver function tests required (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Proton pump inhibitors and interstitial nephritis (June 2006)
• Watching Briefs - Quinine: not for leg cramps anymore (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Watching Briefs - Tendon disorders with quinolone antibiotics (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Evidence, risk and the patient (Oct 2007)
• Update on Salamol inhalers (Nov 2005)
• Selegiline in Parkinson's Disease (Nov 1999)
• Selenium (July 2000)  
• Increased risk of bleeding with SSRIs (Nov 2006)
• SSRI-TCA interactions and serotonin syndrome  (June 2006)
• Health Professional Letter re. Use of  SSRI antidepressants in children and adolescents (22 Mar 2004) PDF - Acrobat Reader required to view
• Interactions with St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Preparations (Apr 2000)
  Medsafe consumer leaflet: Safety alert - St. John's Wort and Prescribed Medicines
• Statin reminder – myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and interactions (Nov 2006)
• Myopathy with Statins: Check CK Levels and Interactions (May 2004) 
• Dose Titration Recommended when Switching Statins (Apr 1998)
• Low dose oral steroids can increase fracture risk (Feb 2002)
• Stilboestrol - Gone but not forgotten (May 2006)
• Cerebrovascular events with Sumatriptan (Mar 2002)
• Top Ten Adverse Events to Sumatriptan in the IMMP (Apr 1998)
• Talking the Talk (Jan 2002)
• Tamoxifen and Venous Thromboembolism (Mar 1999)
• Tasmar (tolcapone) and Adverse Hepatic Events (Dec 1998)
• Terbinafine: serious hepatic and haematological reactions (Nov 2006)
• Tetracyclines and Benign Intracranial Hypertension - a headache rare but real (Jan 2001)  
• Thioridazine Prescribing Reminder (Jun 2005)
• Thioridazine and Arrhythmia: Prescribing Changes (June 2001)
• Tiaprofenic acid-induced Cystitis (Sept 2001)
• Ticlopidine, Clopidogrel and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (Oct 2000)
• Evidence For Tramadol-Warfarin Interaction (Oct 2006)
• Serious reactions with tramadol: seizures and serotonin syndrome (Oct 2007)
• Tramadol (Oct 2000)
• Thrombosis with Tranexamic acid for Menorrhagia (Oct 2003)
• A Dangerous Trio (June 2002)
• Travellers' Thrombosis (Sept 2001)
• Unapproved Use of Medicines (June 2003/April 1998)
• Vaccines/Immunisation:
  Surveillance of Adverse Events Following MeNZB™ Immunisation (Nov 2004) 
  Reassuring News on Suspected Vaccine Adverse Reactions (Mar 2002)
  MMR Vaccine Not Associated with Bowel Disease & Autism (Dec 1999)
  MMR Vaccine, Bowel Disease and Autism (Apr 1998)
  Current Evidence - No Link Between Vaccination and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (Dec 1999)
  Vaccine Adverse Reactions: Separating Fact from Speculation (Dec 1998)
  Hypotonic-Hyporesponsive Episodes to Immunisation (Apr 1998)
• Viagra reminder: Ask! Don't be shy! (May 2001)  
• Vigabatrin and Visual Field Defects (Oct 1999)
• Vitamin K Prophylaxis in the Newborn (Jan 2001)
• Watching Briefs - Warfarin, cranberry and herbs: watch for interactions (Oct/Nov 2007)
• Miconazole oral gel interaction with warfarin (Nov 2005)
• Influenza infection, Relenza (zanamivir) and Adverse Respiratory Events (Jan 2000)
• Dependence with Zopiclone (Apr 1998)