British National Formulary (BNF)

22nd May 2023

British National Formulary

This update contains 3 significant changes, 1 dose change, 3 new monographs, and 3 deleted monographs.

Significant Changes:

• Pholcodine-containing cough and cold medicines: withdrawal from UK market as a precautionary measure [MHRA/CHM advice] (see advice in Aromatic inhalations, cough preparations and systemic nasal decongestants).
• Smallpox and mpox vaccine: updated guidance for immunisation.
• Smallpox vaccine: title changed to Smallpox and mpox vaccine.

Dose Change:

• Calcipotriol with betamethasone [update to dosing].

New Monographs:

• Lupkynis® [voclosporin].
• Orgovyx® [relugolix].
• Tecvayli® [teclistamab].

Deleted Monographs:
Botulinum toxin type B; Dipyridamole with aspirin; Pholcodine.

11th April 2023

British National Formulary

This update contains 2 significant changes, 1 dose change, 5 new monographs, and 2 deleted monographs.

Significant Changes:

• Metolazone (Xaqua®): exercise caution when switching patients between metolazone preparations [MHRA/CHM advice].
• Testosterone (Testogel®): risk of harm to children following accidental exposure [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Change:

• Cefotaxime [update to dosing for emergency treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease, before urgent transfer to hospital].

New Monographs:

• Lamzede® [velmanase alfa].
• Livtencity® [maribavir].
• Nexviadyme® [avalglucosidase alfa].
• Perindopril erbumine with amlodipine.
• Rezurock® [belumosudil].

Deleted Monographs:

• Bleomycin.
• Vinflunine.

14th March 2023

British National Formulary

This update contains 3 significant changes, 2 dose changes, 4 new monographs, and 1 new preparation.

Significant Changes:

• Genital system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for the management of uncomplicated genital chlamydia and non-gonococcal urethritis.
• Ibrutinib (Imbruvica®): new risk minimisation measures, including dose modification recommendations, due to the increased risk for serious cardiac events [MHRA/CHM advice].
• Osteoarthritis: updated guidance on management.

Dose Change:

• Azithromycin [update to dosing for uncomplicated genital chlamydia in children from 12 years old and adults, update to dosing for non-gonococcal urethritis in adults, and update to include dosing in children from 12 years old for uncomplicated gonorrhoea].
• Ceftriaxone [update to dosing for pelvic inflammatory disease].

New Monographs:

• Lunsumio® [mosunetuzumab].
• Rapibloc® [landiolol hydrochloride].
• Tezspire® [tezepelumab].
• Xenpozyme® [olipudase alfa].

New Preparations:
• Okedi® [risperidone].

14th February 2023

British National Formulary

10th January 2023

British National Formulary

This update contains 4 significant changes, 3 dose changes, 4 new monographs and 2 new preparations.

Significant Changes:

• Contraceptives, interactions: updated guidance.
• Depression: updated guidance on management.
• Hypertension: updated guidance for the management of patients with type 1 diabetes.
• Ozanimod (Zeposia®): new indication for ulcerative colitis.

Dose Changes:

• Abilify Maintena® (aripiprazole) [addition of alternative initiation dosing].
• Benlysta® (belimumab) [addition of subcutaneous dosing].
• Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) [update to dosing for ankylosing spondylitis].

New Monographs:

• Drovelis® [drospirenone with estetrol].
• Giapreza® [angiotensin II].
• Hepcludex® [bulevirtide].
• Welireg® [belzutifan].

New Preparations:

• Efmody® [hydrocortisone]
• Okedi® [risperidone].

31st December 2022

British National Formulary

This update contains 1 significant change, 4 dose changes, 4 new monographs and 2 new preparations.

Significant Changes:

• Herpesvirus infections: updated guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis

Dose Changes:

• Budesonide [update to dosing for intranasal administration for rhinitis and nasal polyps]
• Jorveza® (budesonide) [update to dosing for eosinophilic oesophagitis]
• Lacosamide [update to age range for monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of focal seizures with or without secondary generalisation]
• Melatonin [update to dosing for jet lag]

New Monographs:

• Imcivree® [setmelanotide]
• Kapruvia® [difelikefalin]
• Oxbryta® [voxelotor]
• Qinlock® [ripretinib]

New Preparations:

• Actimorph® [morphine]
• Dificlir® [fidaxomicin]

For further details on changes in the BNF click on: https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnf/PHP107699