New product: Edoxaban (Lixiana) 60mg Film-Coated Tablets
electronic Medicines Compendium
Licensed for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adults with non valvular AF with 1 or more risk factors such as CHF, HBP, age ≥ 75 years, DM, prior stroke or TIA, prevention of recurrent DVT/PE, and treatment of DVT/PE.
Revised SPC: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) 10 and 20mg tablets
electronic Medicines Compendium
Advice on how to reduce the potential bleeding risk associated with concurrent use of rivaroxaban and neuraxial (epidural/spinal) anaesthesia or spinal puncture have been added. The following AEs are now listed: cholestasis, hepatitis and thrombocytopenia.
British Journal of General Practice
This UK cohort study of 296 adults self-monitoring their oral anticoagulation therapy (median 61 years; predominately professional or held a university qualification) found 90.2% were still self-monitoring after 12 months, with a mean time in therapeutic range of 75.3%.
Annals of Internal Medicine
This tool advocates regular, standardised clinical monitoring of patients receiving novel oral anticoagulants. It consists of a checklist covering adherence assessment and counselling, bleeding risk assessment, creatinine clearance, drug interactions and examination (e.g. BP).
Stroke
This analysis of the Swedish stroke register found the prescribing of anticoagulants after stroke in patients with AF varied according to age, income, education and country of birth. This was not explained by common risk factors suggesting socioeconomic inequalities.
The above records have been identified by UKMi and feature in the NICE Medicines Awareness Service. Further details on this service can be found at:
http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/content-and-sources/medicines-information/new-medicines-awareness-services
