Drug Advisories

CMAJ is committed to publishing advisories and warnings of serious adverse drug reactions from HC (HC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as soon as they are available. In addition, we regularly create practical, readable summaries of the important information contained in some advisory and warning letters. For more information about drug reactions reported in Canada, see the Health Canada Web site.

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ADVISORY FROM DATE POSTED
Topamax (topiramate)causes hyperchloremic, non-anion gap metabolic acidosis FDA Dec 30, 2003
Blue dye test: Deaths and Blue Discolouration observed CMAJ summary HC Dec 29, 2003
Permax (pergolide) and reports of drivers falling asleep without warning FDA Dec 29, 2003
Warnings about AneuRx Stent Graft System for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm rupture FDA Dec 18, 2003
Hepatic Injury Associated with Beta-Interferon Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis HC Dec 16, 2003
HC advises consumers not to use the herb comfrey HC Dec 16, 2003
Recall of ComfortGel Nasal Masks for obstructive sleep apnea FDA Dec 9, 2003
Do not use Bell Magicc Bullet HC Nov 27, 2003
Clozapine dispensing information HC Nov 25, 2003
Risk of fire with Ultane (sevoflurane) in anaesthesia machines FDA Nov 25, 2003
Immune modulating arthritis drug Arava (leflunomide) and hepatotoxicity, sepsis FDA Nov 25, 2003
Ventolin, Flovent, Serevent Diskus recall CMAJ summary HC Nov 25, 2003
Health products contaminated with sildenafil: Stamen and Bell Magicc Bullet HC Nov 18, 2003
Diskus Recall: Serevent, Flovent, Ventolin (Industry) HC Nov 18, 2003
Zenapax (daclizumab): Mortality in cardiac transplant patients HC Nov 18, 2003
Recall of Dahedi insulin pumps HC Nov 18, 2003
Panomat infusion pumps may allow water leakage HC Nov 18, 2003
Nefazodone sales to be discontinued in Canada HC Nov 11, 2003
PROLENE polypropylene mesh counterfeit discovered FDA Nov 5, 2003
Cordis CYPHER Coronary Stent: sub-acute thromboses (SAT) and hypersensitivity reactions FDA Oct 29, 2003
Tenofovir DF, didanosine, lamivudine combination not recommended for HIV patients FDA Oct 28, 2003
Valcyte (valganciclovir) not indicated in liver transplant patients at risk for CMV FDA Oct 28, 2003
US Recall of Misys Healthcare Systems laboratory information system software FDA Oct 28, 2003
Reports of suicidality in pediatric patients treated with antidepressants FDA Oct 28, 2003
Nefazodone (Serzone) sale discontinued due to hepatotoxicity CMAJ summary HC Oct 28, 2003
Lariam (mefloquine) med-guide for patients: concerns of psychiatric adverse events CMAJ summary FDA Oct 14, 2003
Recall of CoaguChek PT point of care INR test strips FDA Oct 14, 2003
Dispensing errors between antiepileptic KEPPRA (levetiracetam) and antiretroviral KALETRA (lopinavir/ritonavir) FDA Oct 14, 2003
Morphine Sulfate: Dosing, Dispensing Errors of Concentrated Oral Solution FDA Oct 14, 2003
Fatalities with blue dye test for aspiration CMAJ summary FDA Oct 1, 2003
Prandin (repaglinide)-Lopid (gemfibrozil)interaction CMAJ summary FDA Sept 30, 2003
Efficacy concerns: ReFacto (moroctocog alfa), Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) HC Sept 30, 2003
Effexor XR in children: safety and efficacy concerns HC Sept 30, 2003
Urgent Product Correction and Removal on Disetronic Infusion Pumps - D-TRONplus Insulin Pump HC Sept 16, 2003
Orlaam (levomethadyl acetate) distribution discontinued FDA Sept 11, 2003
Serevent trial stopped early due to increased asthma deaths CMAJ summary HC Sept 9, 2003
Repaglinide (Gluconorm) and Gemfibrozil: hypoglycemia reactions CMAJ summary HC Sept 2, 2003
Casodex and accelerated prostate cancer deaths CMAJ summary HC Sept 2, 2003
Recall of device for the detection of Chlamydia and gonorrhea: ProbeTec ET FDA Aug 26, 2003
Mortality, hypersensitivity reactions in cardiac transplant studyinvolving Zenapax (daclizumab) FDA Aug 26, 2003
Concerns HIV treatment combination Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) and Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) FDA Aug 26, 2003
Salmeterol and increased risk of life-threatening asthma episodes FDA Aug 19, 2003
Rifampin plus pyrazinamide for latent tuberculosis infection: high rates of liver injury FDA Aug 12, 2003
GlucoNorm (repaglinide) and gemfibrozil not to be used together CMAJ summary HC Aug 12, 2003
Updated information on meningitis prevention in those with cochlear implants CMAJ summary FDA Aug 5, 2003
Abacavir, lamivudine, tenofovir not be used as initial HIV treatment regimen FDA Aug 5, 2003
Growth Hormone (Genotropin): fatalities in patients with Pra der-Willi syndrome FDA July 29, 2003
Paxil (paroxetine) and suicide in children CMAJ summary HC July 21, 2003
Decreased sweating and hyperthermia in topiramate-treated patients FDA July 21, 2003
Counterfeit Lipitor tablets in US HC July 21, 2003
Class I recall of Espirit Ventilator Model V1000 FDA July 21, 2003
Viga for Women tainted with sildenafil (Viagra) FDA July 2, 2003
Mass recall of Pan Pharmaceuticals products HC July 2, 2003