Gabapentin and pregabalin—are they safe whilst breastfeeding?

This UKMi Medicines Q & A reviews the evidence available, and makes recommendations, for the use of gabapentin and pregabalin during breastfeeding. Summary: Limited data…

Which medicines require extra care when switching between liquid and tablet/capsule formulations?

For a small number of medicines, there are differences in equivalent doses of oral formulations of the same medicine. This Q&A considers which medicines may…

PGDs and Occupational Health Schemes

The attached Q&A has been written in response to enquiries the SPS PGD Service has received concerning the use of Patient Group Directions (PGDs) in Occupational Health Schemes in…

Do statins cause alopecia?

Most UK licensed statins (hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) have been reported by manufacturers to cause hair loss as a side effect. This Medicines Q&A…

Is there a lactose-free hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

This Medicines Q&A lists the currently available HRT preparations which contain lactose and suggests options for lactose-free alternatives.

Should heparin based flushing solutions be used in preference to saline to maintain the patency of indwelling intravascular catheters and cannulae?

There is evidence available to address the question of whether heparin has any advantage over saline solution to flush peripheral intravenous catheters to reduce the…

Can oral bisphosphonates be given to people with renal impairment to treat osteoporosis?

In the main, bisphosphonates are not metabolized and are excreted unchanged in urine.  There are concerns about using them in chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal…

Are there any complementary and alternative medicines that should be avoided in patients on cancer chemotherapy?

This Q&A focuses on complementary therapies and alternative medicines  (CAMs) with pharmacological activity such as herbal medicines, vitamins and minerals, and summarises information on common characteristics of…

What guidance is there available on the use of vitamin K for the management of obstetric cholestasis?

There are currently two UK authoritative guidance documents on the management of obstetric cholestasis. Both give recommendations on the use of vitamin K in the…

How should antibiotics be dosed in obesity?

The Q&A produced in 2013 has been updated and published on the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) website. A review of the evidence was carried…