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Drug Safety Update - June 2010

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published Drug Safety Update for June 2010 (PDF).

This issue contains drug safety advice relating to rivastigmine patches and quinine tablets.

Rivastigmine (Exelon®) patches are licensed for use in Alzheimer's Dementia. Several issues have been reported in relation to the use of these patches resulting in the following advice to clinicians and patients:

This issue also discusses a recent analysis that identified only a moderate benefit for quinine in treating nocturnal leg cramps. It is noted that there is a rare risk of thrombocytopenia and that quinine can be toxic in overdose resulting in death or permanent visual loss. As such it is advised that quinine is not a routine treatment for nocturnal leg cramps, and should only be considered when cramps cause regular disruption of sleep.

Action: Clinicians will find this publication to be a useful review of current issues in drug safety.