FDA MedWatch

05/06/2008 -  FDA Patient Safety News (PSN) is a monthly video news show for healthcare professionals. It covers significant safety alerts, recalls, new product approvals, and offers important tips on protecting patients.

Read the complete stories and watch or download the video program at http://www.fda.gov/psn. You may have already received notification of some of these safety issues through the MedWatch list serve. However, many of these PSN stories contain video footage and demonstrations that may be especially useful to educators in healthcare facilities and academic institutions.

Stories in the May 2008 edition include:

FDA Licenses New Hemophilia Treatment
Xyntha is produced without additives from human or animal material, which can further minimize the risk of infection...

Unsafe Use of Extended-Release Tussionex Suspension
Overdose of long-acting hydrocodone cough suppressant can result in respiratory depression and death...

Liver Injury with Tysabri (natalizumab)
Tysabri should be discontinued in patients with jaundice or other evidence of significant liver injury...

Updated Labeling Changes for Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza (zanamivir)
Patients with influenza should be closely monitored for signs of abnormal behavior...

New Instructions for Using Talecris IG Syringes
How to use HyperRAB S/D and GamaSTAN S/D 2 mL syringes properly in certain circumstances...

Hepatotoxicity with Prezista (darunavir)
Appropriate laboratory testing should be conducted before starting treatment and patients should also be monitored during treatment...

Information on Mortality Rates with the AneuRx Stent Graft System

Patients should meet the appropriate risk-benefit profile...

Mistakenly Swallowing Inhaler Capsules
Respiratory problems will not be treated if patients mistakenly take the capsules orally rather than with an inhaler...

Choosing the Correct Test Strip for a Blood Glucose Meter
Using the wrong strip in any brand of blood glucose meter could result in erroneous readings or no readings at all...