- Prescribing Advice for GPs - https://www.prescriber.org.uk -

Drug Safety Update - April 2021

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published Drug Safety Update for April 2021 (PDF).

This month readers are advised of the greater risk of aspiration when polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based laxatives are thickened with a starch-based thickener. The efficacy of the thickener is reduced by the laxative so it is recommended to avoid combining these products. It may be more appropriate to use a gum-based thickener or a different laxative.

This issue also contains an update on COVID-19 vaccines and medicines that includes information on the extremely rare risk of blood clots that are associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine as well as updated information on patients who should now not receive this vaccine.

Finally in this issue is a summary of letters to healthcare professionals sent in March that were generally regarding product recalls.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.