MHRA Drug Safety Update

December 2023

Aripiprazole (Abilify and generic brands): risk of pathological gambling 

Healthcare professionals prescribing aripiprazole are reminded to be alert to the risk of addictive gambling and other impulse control disorders. Healthcare professionals should advise patients, their families and friends to be alert to these risks.

Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin): advise patients with known cobalt allergy to be vigilant for sensitivity reactions  

The medicines used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin) contain cobalt. There are case reports in the literature describing cobalt sensitivity-type reactions in patients being treated for vitamin B12 deficiency. Healthcare professionals prescribing vitamin B12 products to patients with known cobalt allergy should advise patients to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of cobalt sensitivity and treat as appropriate.

Letters and medicine recalls sent to healthcare professionals in November 2023

A summary of recent letters and notifications sent to healthcare professionals about medicines and medical devices, and a recent National Patient Safety Alert asking organisations to put a plan in place to implement new regulatory measures for valproate.

It's easy to report

Report a suspected adverse drug reaction online
or download the Yellow Card app

REPORT ONLINE

Drug Safety Update is a monthly newsletter from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and its independent advisor the Commission on Human Medicines.

NICE has accredited the process used by the MHRA to produce Drug Safety Update guidance. More information on accreditation can be viewed on the NICE website.