Month: September 2024

Improved Patient Education on Adverse Effects of Allopurinol: A Focus on SCAR

The Health Science Authority (HSA) and Agency for Care Effectivness (ACE) in Singapore have recently published a new patient fact sheet on safe usage of allopurinol.

Medical education constantly evolves to meet the needs of patients, and a new allopurinol patient factsheet provides a great example of how better communication can make a significant difference in patient safety and outcomes. This new patient factsheet for allopurinol usage in treating gout will enhance patient safety and the effective management of this painful condition. As a cornerstone in the management of gout, allopurinol has been in use for decades. The new patient factsheet provides clear and accessible information for patients. In particular, it provides important information regarding adverse effects, particularly the rare but serious condition known as Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reaction (SCAR), for patients taking allopurinol.

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Hydroxychloroquine – New Safety Advisory on Congenital Malformations, Phospholipidosis, and Myasthenia Gravis Aggravation

The Health Science Authority (HSA), Singapore, has announced that Sanofi-Aventis Pte Ltd has issued a “Dear Healthcare Professional Letter” to provide critical updates on the safety profile of Plaquenil® (Hydroxychloroquine sulphate). Healthcare professionals are urged to take note of these new findings, particularly in patients who are pregnant, those with myasthenia gravis, or individuals at risk of developing phospholipidosis.

Key Safety Update – Increased Risk of Major Congenital Malformations: A 2021 study by Huybrechts et al. has reported a small but significant increase in the relative risk of major congenital malformations linked to hydroxychloroquine when administered during the first trimester of pregnancy. The risk becomes more pronounced at higher daily dosages (≥ 400 mg/day).

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