Drug Safety Update January 2010

admin January 13th, 2010

The MHRA have published a new Drug Safety Update (January 2010 [PDF]), which includes information on phenytoin:

HLA-B*1502 may be associated with an increased risk of developing SJS in individuals of Thai or Han Chinese ethnic origin when treated with phenytoin. If these patients are known to be HLA-B*1502-positive, phenytoin should be avoided when alternative therapy can be given. Use of phenytoin should only be considered if the benefits are thought to outweigh the risks

• In the Caucasian and Japanese population, the frequency of HLA-B*1502 is extremely low, and thus it is not possible at present to conclude on risk association. Adequate information about risk association in other patients of other ethnic origin is currently not available

as well as, gadolinium-containing contrast agents, and methylphenidate in children.

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