Regulatory alerts
Metreleptin recommended to treat lipodystrophy
Positive recommendation in NICE draft guidance follows receipt of additional information and extensive liaison with the company.
SMC accepts fostamatinib for chronic immune thrombocytopenia
Treatment accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland.
SMC accepts secukinumab for type of spondyloarthritis
Randomised phase III study showed secukinumab significantly improved symptoms compared with placebo.
SMC accepts four oncology treatments
Treatments for multiple myeloma, lung cancer and lymphoma accepted for use within NHS Scotland.
Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, and neomycin): increased risk of deafness in patients with mitochondrial mutations
Genetic testing should not delay urgently needed aminoglycoside treatment but may be considered, especially before the start of recurrent or long-term treatment.
Regulatory Alerts, Fertility, pregnancy and childbirth, Mental health and behavioural conditions, Psychiatry
SSRI/SNRI antidepressant medicines: small increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage when used in the month before delivery
Prescribers should consider this risk in the context of an individual patient’s bleeding and thrombotic risk assessment during the peripartum period and the benefits of antidepressants for the patient’s mental health during this time.
Fingolimod (Gilenya▼): updated advice about the risks of serious liver injury and herpes meningoencephalitis
Liver monitoring requirements and discontinuation criteria for fingolimod have been updated following reports of serious liver injury.