March 18, 2023 – Valtrex (Valacyclovir) is an antiviral medication used to treat outbreaks of herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles). It is also used to prevent cytomegalovirus following a kidney transplant in high risk cases. It is a prodrug, …

Canada: DRESS Syndrome associated with Valtrex (Valacyclovir) Read more »

February 08, 2021 – In the period of the Covid-19 pandemic and the emerging spectrum of severe adverse (drug) reactions (SADRs) of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines in some patients receiving these vaccines, one easily forgets about the same phenomenon of SADRS …

Fingolimod (Gilenya): Warnings on severe liver failures Read more »

February 17, 2019 – The unfortunate recognition of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a very rare form of a T-cell lymphoma, gains more momentum by the day. This is actually very positive a development, because it helps women …

Unlucky women with BIA-ALCL: An update Read more »

February 02, 2019 –  This is potential alarming news for millions of patients worldwide suffering from high blood pressure: Health Canada has just completed a safety review of hydrochlorothiazide and has found that prolonged use of the drug could increase a …

Hydrochlorothiazide and non-melanoma skin cancer: How come? Read more »

November 05, 2017 – The commercial names are creative, no doubt, and we like particularly “Black Gorilla”. However, time and time again, health authorities all over have to issue foreign product alerts, warning consumers, patients, and the public at large about …

Black Gorilla, Big N Hard, Rize N Shine, and the likes: Fraudulent health business Read more »

August 26, 2017 – Health Canada is advising Canadians of unauthorized products called Brainfreeze Potpourri or Brainfreeze Herbal Incense that are labeled as herbal products and contain synthetic cannabinoids. This product is being sold in speciality tobacco stores and head …

Synthetic cannabinoids unauthorized: Brainfreeze Read more »

March 21, 2017 – Health Canada just communicated this important safety information: Cases of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) under treatment of patients with Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) have been reported internationally in the clinical trials and post-marketing setting. …

Risk of severe if not fatal skin reactions with Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) Read more »

August 16, 2016 – Riociguat (Adempas) is a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). In Canada, it is approved for and indicated in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in three forms: inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, persistent or recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after surgical …

Patient Safety: Contraindication for Riociguat (Adempas) Read more »

June 6, 2011 – Today, we learn from Health Canada the following very important safety information: Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, in consultation with Health Canada, would like to inform you of important new safety information regarding fatal infusion related reactions following …

Rituximab [Rituxan] – Fatal Infusion Related Reactions in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Read more »

July 15, 2010 – In the light of recently published scientific studies and an upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee meeting examining the heart-related (cardiovascular) safety of the diabetes drug rosiglitazone, Health Canada is informing health care …

Health Canada: Status of Rosiglitazone Drugs [Avandia, Avandamet, and Avandaryl] in Canada Read more »