Regulatory Updates

Healthcare professionals warned of pulmonary aspiration risk in patients on GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists undergoing general anaesthesia or deep sedation.

The Commission on Human Medicines says men already taking valproate no longer need a specialist review, while the requirement stays for patients under 55 starting the drug.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released a summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices.

The MHRA has withdrawn the licence indication for post‑operative pain from all prolonged‑release opioids, citing heightened risk of persistent use and opioid‑induced respiratory complications.

MHRA warns that fezolinetant can cause drug‑induced liver injury and advises liver function monitoring before and during treatment.

The MHRA reminds healthcare professionals and patients that overusing short‑acting β2‑agonists can trigger severe asthma attacks and increase mortality, even with maintenance therapy.

MHRA notes rare reports of anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbance, poor concentration and forgetfulness in CF patients using Kaftrio, urging clinicians to monitor patients.

The MHRA notes rare cases of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in patients using azathioprine and other thiopurines, highlighting a class‑wide risk.

MHRA releases new safety and educational resources to support regulatory measures from the 2023 Patient Safety Alert and 2024 Drug Safety Update.

MHRA reminds that there is no evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism, reaffirming it as the first‑choice pain reliever for pregnant women.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency released a list of Field Safety Notices covering 17‑21 August 2026.

The MHRA notes rare cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in mesalazine users and will update product information with a warning.