english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2010 > In the February issue of Prescrire International: drug-related memory loss; carbimazole and birth defects

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In the February issue of Prescrire International:
drug-related memory loss; carbimazole and birth defects

FREE DOWNLOAD Two texts from the February "Adverse Effects" section. Dementia is not the only cause of memory loss : a drug-related cause should always be investigated, as revealed by data from France's regional pharmacovigilance centres. And reports of birth defects mean that it is better to use propylthiouracil rather than carbimazole to treat hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.
Full texts available for free download.

Drug-induced memory disorders (Summary)

  • Memory disorders are often attributed to ageing and sometimes confused with early dementia. A drug-related cause should always be investigated.
  • Data from several French pharmacovigilance centres reveal that many drugs have a statistically significant estimated relative risk.
  • In practice. When patients present with memory disorders, it is in their best interests to consider a possible drug-related cause.

Carbimazole: cases of birth defects (Summary)

  • The Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre in Nice, France identified 6 reports of congenital malformations after first-trimester exposure to carbimazole.
     
  • In practice. Carbimazole is only a second-line treatment during pregnancy. If its use is justified, then the lowest effective dose must be determined, with regular ultrasound monitoring of the face, upper digestive tract and abdominal wall of the fetus.

©Prescrire February 2010

Prescrire Int 2010; 19 (105): 29 (pdf, free).
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