Drugline is a fortnightly electronic drug bulletin providing information on new medicines, new developments, current affairs, new indications, new PBS listings and deletions and general issues of importance to all health professionals. Click below to view the most recent volumes of Drugline.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a safety advisory regarding the use of dolutegravir during pregnancy. Dolutegravir is an integrase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents. It can be…
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Alteplase and tenecteplase are tissue plasminogen activators that bind to fibrin within a thrombus to initiate fibrinolysis. Alteplase is approved in the treatment of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and acute ischaemic stroke; while tenecteplase…
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It is estimated that up to two-thirds of Australians use complementary and alternative medicines. While these agents are often thought to be safe, a recent case report highlights the potential for serious interactions with…
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Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells of the bone marrow. While advances in therapy have significantly improved patient outcomes over the past decade, relapse is common which emphasises the importance of…
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Diabetes is currently one of the most significant challenges facing global health. In Australia, around 280 people develop diabetes each day, with type 2 diabetes accounting for approximately 85% of cases. The rising incidence…
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Trexject®, a subcutaneous formulation of methotrexate, is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Trexject® is currently listed for the treatment of severe psoriasis and severe active rheumatoid arthritis where an oral form of methotrexate is…
Read morePossible Risk of Birth Defects with Dolutegravir (Jun. 15 2018)
Thrombolytic Therapy in Ischaemic Stroke (Jun. 01 2018)
Suspected Drug-Herb Interaction Raises INR (May. 18 2018)
Daratumumab for Multiple Myeloma (May. 04 2018)
Updated PBS Listings for Type 2 Diabetes (Apr. 19 2018)
Subcutaneous Methotrexate (Apr. 06 2018)
Increasing Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli (Mar. 23 2018)
Treatment of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux in Infants (Mar. 09 2018)
Vertebral Fracture Risk Following Cessation of Denosumab (Feb. 23 2018)
Atypical Diabetic Ketoacidosis and SGLT2 Inhibitors (Feb. 09 2018)
Carfilzomib on the PBS (Jan. 25 2018)
Vorinostat for Cutaneous Tcell Lymphoma (Jan. 11 2018)
Increasing the Success of a Quit Attempt (Dec. 28 2017)
The Benefits of Statin Therapy (Dec. 14 2017)
Brexpiprazole for the Treatment of Schizophrenia (Nov. 30 2017)
A Surprising Potential Benefit of Thiazolidinedione Therapy (Nov. 16 2017)
Ibrutinib to be PBS Listed (Nov. 02 2017)
Silodosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Oct. 19 2017)
Interaction Update for Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Oct. 05 2017)
Thunderstorm Asthma (Sep. 21 2017)
The Efficacy of Perampanel (Sep. 08 2017)
New Option for Melanoma (Aug. 24 2017)
Epclusa® – Pangenotypic Therapy for Hepatitis C (Aug. 10 2017)
Neonatal Caffeine Therapy (Jul. 27 2017)
New Indication for Eribulin (Jul. 13 2017)
Update on NSAID Safety (Jun. 29 2017)
Nanoliposomal Irinotecan (Jun. 15 2017)
Longacting Paliperidone Injection (Jun. 01 2017)
Tofacitinib: A New Diseasemodifying Antirheumatic Drug (May. 18 2017)
Duavive® – Progestogenfree Menopausal Hormone Therapy (May. 04 2017)
Entyvio® (vedolizumab) (Apr. 20 2017)
Mirabegron for Overactive Bladder (Apr. 06 2017)
PBS Changes to Alprazolam (Mar. 23 2017)
Acute Management of Seizures (Mar. 09 2017)
Increased Notification of Meningococcal W Disease (Feb. 23 2017)
Olaparib Achieves PBS Approval (Feb. 09 2017)
Risk of Gastroenteritis with PPI Use (Jan. 26 2017)
Riociguat for Pulmonary Hypertension (Jan. 12 2017)
Updated Precautions for Direct Acting Antivirals (Dec. 29 2016)
Photodynamic Therapy for Actinic Keratosis (Dec. 15 2016)
Subcutaneous Herceptin (trastuzumab) (Dec. 01 2016)
A New Therapy for Severe Asthma (Nov. 17 2016)
Shingles Vaccine Available on the NIP (Nov. 03 2016)
Fentanyl for Breakthrough Pain (Sep. 22 2016)
September: Dementia Awareness Month (Sep. 08 2016)
Hepatitis B Reactivation (Aug. 25 2016)
Armodafinil for Improved Wakefulness (Aug. 11 2016)
National Pain Week: July 25-31 2016 (Jul. 28 2016)
Monoclonal Antibodies for Hypercholesterolaemia (Jul. 14 2016)
Oncolytic Viral Therapy (Jun. 30 2016)
Naloxegol – Addressing a Common Side Effect of Opioid Therapy (Jun. 16 2016)
Thyroxine Storage Conditions (Jun. 02 2016)
PBS Listing Extended for Arsenic Trioxide (May. 19 2016)
Greater Dosing Flexibility for Chronic Pain (May. 05 2016)
A New Indication for Ivermectin (Apr. 21 2016)
Nadroparin Relists on the PBS (Apr. 07 2016)
Zerbaxa™ (ceftolozane/tazobactam) – A New Option for GramNegative Infections (Mar. 23 2016)
Intravenous Fluid Replacement (Mar. 10 2016)
Liraglutide Indications Expanded (Feb. 25 2016)
Update on Pertussis Vaccine Recommendations (Feb. 11 2016)
Isosorbide Mononitrate – To Halve or Not to Halve (Jan. 28 2016)
Brimica® Genuair® 340/12 (Jan. 13 2016)
Updated Varenicline Product Information (Dec. 30 2015)
Immunonutrition – Effect on Length of Stay and Infection Rates (Dec. 17 2015)
Paediatric Analgesia Review (Dec. 03 2015)
Viekira Pak for Hepatitis C (Nov. 19 2015)
Micafungin (Nov. 05 2015)
Dabigatran Antidote on the Horizon (Oct. 22 2015)
Akynzeo® (Oct. 08 2015)
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Sep. 24 2015)
A New Inhalation Device for COPD (Sep. 10 2015)
Atypical Diabetic Ketoacidosis – SGLT2 Inhibitors (Aug. 27 2015)
ParaAminosalicylic Acid – What’s Old is New Again (Aug. 13 2015)
Lurasidone – A New Treatment for Schizophrenia (Jul. 30 2015)
Ivabradine (Coralan®) (Jul. 16 2015)
Stelara – Bringing Relief to Psoriasis Sufferers (Jul. 02 2015)
Methotrexate Precautions Extended (Jun. 18 2015)
PBAC Reviews Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes (Jun. 04 2015)
Thyroxine Tablets (May. 21 2015)
A New Therapy for Gout Febuxostat (May. 07 2015)
Victoza (liraglutide) (Apr. 23 2015)
Ultibro Breezhaler 100/50 (Apr. 09 2015)
Purple Day for Epilepsy (Mar. 26 2015)
Refrigerated Medicine Stocks (Mar. 12 2015)
Resolving Genetic Hyperammonaemia (Feb. 26 2015)
2015 Influenza Vaccine (Feb. 12 2015)
Seebri® Breezhaler® (Glycopyrronium Bromide) (Jan. 29 2015)
Fixing the leak with Botox® (Jan. 15 2015)
Prepare for the Unpredictable (Jan. 01 2015)
Adverse Risks Associated with Pregabalin (Dec. 18 2014)
Cholic Acid, an Orphan Drug (Dec. 04 2014)
NAPS Report Released (Nov. 20 2014)
Ruxolitinib A New Class of Antineoplastic (Nov. 06 2014)
Isoprenaline Comes Out From the Cold (Oct. 23 2014)
PBS Choices Expanded for HRT (Oct. 09 2014)
World Pharmacist Day (Sep. 24 2014)
National Stroke Week (Sep. 11 2014)
Denosumab: Incidence of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (Aug. 28 2014)
Zolpidem Hangover (Aug. 14 2014)
Breo™ Ellipta® (Jul. 31 2014)
Use of Prolia® in Men (Jul. 17 2014)
Adcetris® (brentuximab vedotin) (Jul. 03 2014)
Bretaris® Genuair® (aclidinium bromide) Inhalation (Jun. 19 2014)
Additional Scabies Treatment to be Added to PBS (Jun. 05 2014)
Sapropterin Reduces Hyperphenylalaninemia (May. 22 2014)
Influenza: Have You Considered Vaccination? (May. 08 2014)
Safety Review of Domperidone (Apr. 24 2014)
Black Box Warning for Protos® (Apr. 10 2014)
OxyContin® Reformulation (Mar. 27 2014)
Emergency Oral Contraceptives May Fail (Mar. 13 2014)
Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis (Feb. 27 2014)
Strontium ranelate (Protos®) Under Scrutiny (Feb. 13 2014)
Transferring Alprazolam to Schedule 8 (Jan. 30 2014)
Emend® (aprepitant) 165mg Single Dose (Jan. 16 2014)
Tapentadol hydrochloride (Palexia®) SR (Jan. 02 2014)
Ivabradine (Coralan®) now listed on the PBS (Dec. 19 2013)
New Dextropropoxyphene Controls (Dec. 05 2013)
Go for Gold in Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov. 21 2013)
PBS Recommends New Diabetes Medicine (Nov. 07 2013)
Preparing for Schoolie Emergencies (Oct. 24 2013)
Suicide Ideation during ADHD treatment (Oct. 10 2013)
Dimethyl fumarate funded for MS (Sep. 26 2013)
Intussusception and Rotavirus Vaccine (Sep. 12 2013)
Suboxone Tablets Discontinued (Aug. 29 2013)
Rasagiline for Parkinson’s (Aug. 15 2013)
ACE Inhibitors: A Role in Dementia (Aug. 01 2013)
Fentanyl Nasal Spray (Jul. 18 2013)
PBAC Approves of Melanoma Therapy (Jul. 04 2013)
Riluzole for Motor Neurone Disease (Jun. 20 2013)
Mycamine (Jun. 06 2013)
HPV Vaccine (May. 23 2013)
World Lupus Day (May. 09 2013)
Lixisenatide for Type 2 Diabetes (Apr. 25 2013)
DBL Sodium Nitroprusside Concentrate Injection 50mg/2mL (Apr. 11 2013)
Prevention is still better than cure (Mar. 27 2013)
Methoxyflurane the Green Whistle (Mar. 12 2013)
Arsenic trioxide injection (Feb. 27 2013)
Ethinyloestradiol + cyproterone acetate safety review (Feb. 14 2013)
PBS treatment for Melanoma (Jan. 31 2013)
Melanoma prevention with Sunscreens (Jan. 17 2013)
New simvastatin/sitagliptin combination (Jan. 03 2013)
Ivadrabine (CORALAN, Servier Laboratories) (Dec. 20 2012)
Ticagrelor (BRILINTA) (Dec. 06 2012)
Ketamine may also treat Depression (Nov. 22 2012)
Analgesic Agonies (Nov. 08 2012)
Aflibercept (EYELEA) for Macular Degeneration (Oct. 25 2012)
Omalizumab (XOLAIR, Novartis) (Oct. 11 2012)
Duloxetine Extension to Indications Rejected (For Now) (Sep. 27 2012)
TachoSil for Surgical Haemostasis (Sep. 13 2012)
Mifepristone (RU486) (Aug. 30 2012)
Healthy Bones Diet to Drugs (Aug. 19 2012)
More Information on Adverse Drug Reactions (Aug. 02 2012)
Australian Innovators to Cure the Cold? (Jul. 19 2012)
Actonel EC improves bioavailability (Jul. 05 2012)
