Patients taking infliximab should be monitored for any new or changed skin lesions, the TGA has advised.

In its latest Medicines Safety Update the regulatory body said product information had been updated to reflect a heightened risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.

The changes included updating the ‘Precautions’ section to include the statement ‘Psoriasis patients should be monitored for NMSCs, particularly those patients who have had prior prolonged phototherapy treatment.’

In addition, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were added to the ‘Adverse events’ section with the frequency listed as unknown.

“Prescribers are reminded to monitor patients who have been prescribed infliximab for any new or changed skin lesions and ensure patients with any suspicious lesions undergo further investigation,” it said.