Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

• Metformin can commonly reduce vitamin B12 levels in patients, which may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Refer to MHRA Drug Safety Update here.

• B12 deficiency risk increases with higher metformin doses, longer treatment duration and patients with a risk of B12 deficiency (see below for additional risk factors)

Guideline News October 2022

Key Medicine Shortages – November 2022

Key messages

• Refer to available guidance for information on how to alleviate symptoms of the menopause (see links in further information below)
• Refer to the NHSGGC Adult Medicines Formulary for preferred hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options
• If ‘off-label’ testosterone is being considered for low sexual desire (when HRT alone is not effective), refer to NICE and British Menopause Society (BMS) guidance and the NHSGGC Unlicensed Medicines Policy

MHRA Drug Safety Update October 2022

This post summarises the latest NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde decisions relating to new medicines assessed by SMC and considered by the Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee (ADTC) and uses a nationally developed format specifically aimed for patients and the public.

For full details of the medicines included in this post that are available for use, including any restrictions on prescribing, please see the relevant entry in the GGC Formulary

Guideline News September 2022

The GGC Clostridioides difficile guideline has been updated to reflect changes to the NICE guideline [NG199] Clostridioides difficile infection: antimicrobial prescribing.

HEPMA Update 2– October 2022

There is a risk that IV gentamicin prescribed 48 hourly may inadvertently be prescribed and/or administered 24 hours earlier than intended. This can lead to gentamicin toxicity, including serious renal impairment/oto-vestibular toxicity.