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.
Lorazepam is now available as a solution for injection. Lorazepam is a medium-acting benzodiazepine with an elimination half-life of around 12-16 hours. Lorazepam injection is for acute use only for the following indications: As…
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The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has issued a statement regarding the COVID-19 oral antivirals, molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) and nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid®). This statement makes the following four recommendations for future updates to the…
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Cemiplimab is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). The condition must be metastatic or locally advanced and be unsuitable for curative treatment via…
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The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released a safety update regarding the potential for vitamin B6 supplements to cause peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a known side effect of vitamin B6 that typically presents…
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Decitabine with cedazuridine (Inqovi®) is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). It is listed for the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML). These conditions must be confirmed…
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The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing for pembrolizumab has been expanded to include squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Pembrolizumab is also PBS subsidised for the treatment of some forms of: Malignant…
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