27 Dec 2004: Updated advisory: celecoxib (Celebrex®) and related drugs

20 Dec 2004: HSA advisory for healthcare professionals: celecoxib (Celebrex®)

			17 Dec 2004: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors
			Physicians are reminded to exercise caution when prescribing COX-2 specific inhibitors to patients at risk of cardiovascular conditions.

			17 Dec 2004: Infliximab (Remicade®) and important safety information
			Cases of malignancies and adverse haematological events were reported in patients receiving infliximab.

			17 Dec 2004: Lamictal® and interaction with oral contraceptives
			Post-marketing reports of breakthrough seizures, unexpected pregnancies and menstrual bleeding disorders have been received.

			17 Dec 2004: Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw
			Patients on bisphosphonates therapy are advised to avoid invasive dental procedures.

			17 Dec 2004: Pergolide associated with cardiac valvulopathy
			Two newly published studies add evidence of cardiac valvulopathy to patients treated with pergolide.

			18 Oct 2004: Antidepressants and increased risk of suicidality in children and adolescents
			HSA updates healthcare professionals on the increased risk of suicidality in children and adolescents with major depression being prescribed antidepressants. This follows the USA FDA's announcement to strengthen the label warnings on this risk.

			01 Oct 2004: Withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx®)
			Rofecoxib has been voluntarily withdrawn worldwide due to the safety concern about a possible increase in risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) among study patients taking the drug long term.

			29 Jul 2004: Safety update of rosuvastatin and new information on PK data
			New pharmakinetic data has shown that Asians have an increase in serum level of the drug compared to Caucasians. While reviewing the significance of these findings, HSA reminds physicians to start all patients on rosuvastatin 10 mg, the lowest recommended start dose.

			29 Jul 2004: Serious drug-induced skin reactions
			In 2003, dermatological ADRs accounted for 46% of all adverse reactions reported to the Pharmacovigilance (PV) Unit. Most of the reported dermatological ADRs were the non-serious types such as urticaria, erythema and rashes. However there were a significant number of serious and potentially life-threatening reactions such as and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS).

			29 Jul 2004: Conclusion of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trials
			Studies conclude that oral HRTs (both combined and estrogen alone) should not be used for prevention of coronary heart disease in post-menopausal women.

			29 Jul 2004: Withdrawal of nefazodone (Serzone®)
			Nefazodone has been suspected to be associated with 56 cases of liver failure worldwide since its introduction in 1994. The drug has been voluntarily withdrawn from sale in the Singapore market by the company with effect from 31 March 2004 due to low usage of the drug in Singapore.

			29 Jul 2004: Ischaemic colitis and other abdominal ADRs associated with tegaserod
			Worldwide post-marketing reports of diarrhoea with serious complications and ischaemic colits have been received in patients giving tegaserod.

			29 Jul 2004: Atypical antipsychotics - Risks of cerebrovascular adverse events (CVAES) in elderly patients with dementia
			Recent analyses of clinical trials suggest increased incidence of CVAEs including strokes, associated with olanzapine and risperidone.

			29 Jul 2004: Case report of diabetic ketoacidosis with Kenis Pil® (Jamu medicine)
			Analysis of the samples of Kenis Pil® taken by a patient revealed that it was adulterated with glibenclamide. The product was labelled to contain herbal ingredients and claimed to cure symptoms of diabetes.

			31 May 2004: Update of pharmacokinetic data of rosuvastatin (Crestor®) on local Chinese subjects
			Astra Zeneca has updated the package insert of rosuvastatin (Crestor®) to indicate information on the two-fold increase in median AUC after a single dose (40 mg) of rosuvastatin was given to the Chinese in Singapore compared to the western Causasian patients. This observation was similarly reported in the Japanese subjects residing in Japan.

			18 May 2004: Use of SSRIs and related antidepressants in children and adolescents
			HSA has reviewed the emerging concerns on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related antidepressants in children and adolescents.

			07 May 2004: Interstitial pneumonia associated with the use of leflunomide (Arava®)
			In Japan, there were 16 cases of interstitial pneumonia (including 5 deaths) linked to the use of leflunomide since the launch of the drug in Sep 2003. Nine of the 16 patients were already suffering from lung disease when leflunomide was prescribed.

			15 Mar 2004: New preclinical findings on Oseltamivir
			Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®) is not recommended for infants less than 1 year of age.

			15 Mar 2004: Case report of Cushing's syndrome with traditional Malay medicine (Pil Ajaib®)
			Analysis of the samples of Pil Ajaib® revealed that it was adulterated with indomethacin and dexamethasone. The presentation of Cushing's syndrome in this patient is consistent with the effects of prolonged consumption of dexamethasone.

			15 Mar 2004: Doxycycline and oesophagitis
			Risk of doxycycline-induced oesophagitis can be miminised by advising patients to take doxycycline in an upright position, with food or with a large glass of water and to also avoid taking it just before bedtime.

			15 Mar 2004: Liver injury associated with beta-interferon therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients
			Post-marketing experience of serious liver toxicity occurs predominantly within 6 months of therapy.