Expect to See Pregnancy Letter Ratings Removed from Drug Labels

August 2015

Pregnancy categories (A, B, C, D, X) will start to DISAPPEAR from package inserts...due to FDA's new rules on reporting pregnancy risks.

The problem is that the letter ratings oversimplify and don't consistently communicate the degree of fetal risk.

For example, naproxen and morphine are both pregnancy category "C" meds. However, NSAIDs should usually be AVOIDED during pregnancy...while opioids are often RECOMMENDED for severe pain.

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Table of Contents

Recognize When You're Receiving a 711 Call
COPD Stay Alert for Patients Switching to Stiolto From Other COPD Inhalers
Insulin Watch for Rxs Written Just as "Humalog KwikPen"
STIs Watch for STD Rxs That "Double Up" on Dispense Quantities
Pregnancy Expect to See Pregnancy Letter Ratings Removed from Drug Labels
Phosphate Don't be Surprised if Auryxia Doses Change Weekly
Opioids Expect to See Long-Term Buprenorphine Therapy for Opioid Dependence
Anticoagulants Consider a Calendar for Patients Using a Short-Term Blood Thinner
Prediabetes Help Spot Patients at Risk for Prediabetes
Photosensitivity Familiarize Yourself with Common Meds That Cause Sun Sensitivity
Practice Don't Automatically Substitute Between "Double-Duty" Products
Rheumatoid Arthritis Steer Patients Asking About Glucosamine or Chondroitin to the Pharmacist
Cholesterol Expect New Cholesterol Injectables to be Saved as Add-On Meds