Formulary Chapter 15: Anaesthesia - Full Chapter
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15.01 |
General anaesthesia |
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15.01 |
Anaesthesia, sedation and resuscitation in dental practice |
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15.01 |
Gas cylinders |
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15.01.01 |
Intravenous anaesthetics |
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15.01.01 |
Barbiturates |
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15.01.01 |
Other intravenous anaesthetics |
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Propofol
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First Choice
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- 1% (10mg/ml) injections (Propofol Lipuro®) available as 200mg in 20ml ampoules.
- 500mg in 50ml and 1g in 100ml bottles.
- 1% (10mg/ml) 50ml (500mg) prefilled syringes for use in Diprifusor pumps (Diprivan®).
- 2% (20mg/ml) injection - 1g in 50ml bottles for ITU use only.
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Ketamine (Palliative Care)
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Formulary
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Etomidate 20mg/10ml injection
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Alternatives
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Ketamine
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Alternatives
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- 200mg in 20ml (10mg/ml), 500mg in 10ml (50mg/ml) & 1g in 10ml (100mg/ml) injections
- 50mg in 5ml oral solution
unlicensed
- Often used as an analgesic in the management of neuropathic pain by specialist pain teams
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Thiopental Sodium 500mg/20ml injection (Thiopentone)
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Alternatives
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15.01.02 |
Inhalational anaesthetics |
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Isoflurane
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First Choice
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Heliox21®
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Formulary
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Nitric Oxide
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Formulary
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Oxygen
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Formulary
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Methoxyflurane (Penthrox®)
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Alternatives
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- 99.9% inhalation vapour
- Approved for use in trauma related pain in Emergency Departments, in adults only
- Approved for procedural analgesia in procedures such as VAC dressing change/stent change/brachytherapy rod change, in adults only
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Sevoflurane
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Alternatives
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15.01.02 |
Volatile liquid anaesthetics |
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15.01.02 |
Nitrous oxide |
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Entonox®
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Alternatives
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50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen mixture used for analgesia
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Nitrous oxide
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Alternatives
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MHRA Drug Safety Update (Dec 2008): Nitrous oxide: neurological and haematological side-effects
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15.01.03 |
Antimuscarinic drugs |
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Atropine 600microgram injection
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Formulary
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Atropine pre-filled syringes (minijet®)
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Formulary
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- 1mg in 5ml and 3mg in 30ml injections in prefilled syringes used in cardiac resuscitation.
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Glycopyrronium injection (200mcg)
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Formulary
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Hyoscine Hydrobromide 400microgram injection
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Formulary
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15.01.04 |
Sedative and analgesic peri-operative drugs |
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15.01.04.01 |
Benzodiazepines |
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Diazepam
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Formulary
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- 2mg, 5mg tablets – 10mg tablets should no longer be used.
- 2mg in 5ml oral solution.
- 10mg in 2ml injection (plain & emulsion)
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- For use in epilepsy see section 4.8.2 and use in anxiety see
section 4.1.2.
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Lorazepam
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Formulary
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Midazolam
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Formulary
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- 5mg in 5ml, 10mg in 2ml injections
- 50mg in 50ml prefilled syringes - ITU use only
- Intranasal midazolam 40mg/ml + lidocaine 20mg/ml
- approved for use prior to cannulation for adult patients with
special needs receiving dental treatment under IV sedation.
- Miprosed® 5mg in 1ml (7.5ml) oral solution is approved for use as a sedative and pre-medication in children
Palliative care
- 10mg/2ml injection

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Temazepam
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Formulary
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Alimemazine (Trimeprazine)
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Formulary
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- 30mg/5ml syrup.
- see section 03.04.01 for other formulations.
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15.01.04.01 |
Benzodiazepines |
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15.01.04.02 |
Non-opioid analgesics |
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Diclofenac 75mg/1ml injection
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Formulary
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- Mainly for use in post-operative analgesia - see section 10.01.01 for other formulations
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MHRA Drug Safety Update (June 2013): Diclofenac: new contraindications and warnings
MHRA Drug Safety Update (June 2023): Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): potential risks following prolonged use after 20 weeks of pregnancy
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Parecoxib 40mg injection (Dynastat®)
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Formulary
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- For peri-operative use only.
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Ketorolac injection
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Alternatives
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- 10mg/1ml & 30mg/1ml injection
- the use of this is no longer recommended, other parenteral analgesics are now preferred
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15.01.04.03 |
Opioid analgesics |
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Alfentanil
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Formulary
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- All non-palliative care indications
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Alfentanil (Palliative Care)
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Formulary
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- 500micrograms in 1ml [ST&S], 1mg in 2ml, 5mg in 10ml & 5mg in 1ml injection ampouless - approved for initiation by specialists in palliative care
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Fentanyl
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Formulary
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- 100 microgram in 2ml & 500 microgram in 10ml injections
- 2.5mg in 50ml (50 micrograms/ml) syringe
unlicensed
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Levobupivacaine with Fentanyl
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Formulary
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- 2 micrograms/ml with levobupivacaine 0.1% in sodium chloride 0.9% infusion, 100ml, 250ml & 500ml
unlicensed
- 4 micrograms/ml with levobupivacaine 0.125% in sodium chloride 0.9% infusion, 500ml (RVI)
unlicensed
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Remifentanil
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Formulary
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- 1mg, 2mg & 5mg injections.
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15.01.04.04 |
Other drugs for sedation |
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Dexmedetomidine (Dexdor®)
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Formulary
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- 100 micrograms in 1ml injection approved for use in patients:
- with traumatic brain injury, have no respiratory problems but require prolonged ventilatory support due to severe agitation, confusion and requirement for propofol/midazolam; and
- who are difficult to sedate e.g. with overdose of MDMA/PMA/”legal highs” or who have pre-existing drug or alcohol dependence or who have failed conventional methods of treatment.
- Paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with a high risk of post-operative Junctional Ectopic Tachyarrhythmia (JET) or those suitable for fast-track surgery.
- 100 micgrograms in 1ml injection (intranasal)
unlicensed route
- approved for pre-operative sedation in anxious children at risk of respiratory depression in whom midazolam is contraindicated or those who have failed pre-operative sedation with other agents.
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15.01.05 |
Neuromuscular blocking drugs |
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Suxamethonium Chloride
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Formulary
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15.01.05 |
Non-depolarising muscle relaxants |
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Atracurium
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Formulary
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- 25mg in 2.5ml
- 50mg in 5ml
- 250mg in 25ml injection
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Cisatracurium (Nimbex®)
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Formulary
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- 20mg in 10ml (2mg/ml) injection
- 150mg in 30ml (5mg/ml) injection
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Mivacurium (Mivacron®)
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Formulary
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- 10mg in 5ml injection
- 20mg in 10ml injection
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Pancuronium
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Formulary
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Papaverine
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Formulary
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- 30mg/2ml injection
unlicensed
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Rocuronium (Esmeron®)
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Formulary
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Vecuronium (Norcuron®)
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Formulary
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15.01.05 |
Depolarising muscle relaxants |
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15.01.06 |
Drugs for reversal of neuromuscular blockade |
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15.01.06 |
Anticholinesterases |
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Edrophonium
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Formulary
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Neostigmine
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Formulary
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Neostigmine with Glycopyrronium
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Formulary
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- Glycopyrronium 500 microgram & neostigmine 2.5mg in 1ml injection (Robinul – neostigmine)
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Physostigmine
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Formulary
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- 1mg in 1ml injection
unlicensed
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15.01.06 |
Other drugs for reversal of neuromuscular blockade |
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Sugammadex (Bridion®)
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Formulary
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- 200mg in 2ml & 500mg in 5ml injections
- Approved for the emergency reversal of blockade in cases of failed intubation in patients who are undergoing rapid sequence induction anaesthesia with rocuronium because of contra-indications to suxamethonium.
- Approved for the reversal of rocuronium blockade in obstetric general anaesthesia for caesarean sections.
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15.01.07 |
Antagonists for central and respiratory depression |
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Doxapram
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Formulary
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- 100mg in 5ml injection
- 2mg/ml 500ml intravenous infusion in glucose 5%
see section 03.05.01
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Flumazenil
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Formulary
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- 500 microgram in 5ml injection
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Naloxone
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Formulary
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- 400 microgram in 1ml injection (ampoules).
- 2mg/2ml pre-filled syringes (as per ACMD guidance).
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15.01.08 |
Drugs for malignant hyperthermia |
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Dantrolene Sodium
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Formulary
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- 20mg, 120mg powder for solution for injection
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MHRA Drug Safety Update (July 2014): Intravenous dantrolene: risk of undissolved crystals
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15.01.09 |
Prophylaxis of acid aspiration |
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Sodium citrate (50ml packs)
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Formulary
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- 0.3 molar peppermint falvoured solution.
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15.02 |
Local anaesthesia |
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15.02 |
Articaine |
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15.02 |
Bupivacaine |
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Bupivacaine Hydrochloride
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Formulary
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- 0.25% & 0.5% injection 10ml
- 0.25% & 0.5% + adrenaline 1 in 200,000 inj. 10ml
- 0.5% in glucose 8% injection (Marcain Heavy)
- 0.1% & 0.125%
unlicensed in sodium chloride 0.9% infusions
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Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel® )
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Formulary
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- 133mg/10ml & 266mg/20ml prolonged-release dispersion for injection.
- Alternative to local anaesthetic infusion via an indwelling brachial plexus nerve catheter for major shoulder/upper limb surgery.
- Audit of outcomes to be presented to trust Drug and therapeutic Committee's and Formulary Working Group within 12 months (from April 2024).
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15.02 |
Levobupivacaine |
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Levobupivacaine (Chirocaine®)
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Formulary
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- 0.25%, 25mg in 10ml & 0.5%, 50mg in 10ml & 0.75%, 75mg in 10ml injections
- 0.625mg/ml & 1.25mg/ml infusion bags
 - for local infiltration in hip and knee replacement surgery.
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15.02 |
Lidocaine |
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Lidocaine
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Formulary
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- Injections (plain)
- 0.5% 10ml
- 1% 2ml, 5ml, & 10ml (10mg/ml)
- approved for use in post-operative pain management subject to local protocols with a review of adverse events to be submitted by October 2018
- 2% 2ml, 5ml & 20ml injection (20mg/ml)
- 5% 2ml Heavy injection (50mg/ml)
- 5% 10ml injection (50mg/ml)
unlicensed
- Topical preparations
- 1% & 2% gel with chlorhexidine 0.25%
- 4% topical solution (some packs unlicensed)
- 5% ointment
- 2% spray
unlicensed
- 100mg lollipops
unlicensed
- Lidocaine 4%, adrenaline 0.1% & tetracaine 0.5% (LAT gel®)
unlicensed - approved for use in anaesthetising lacerations particularly in the paediatric population – not to be used in children weighing under 15kg.
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Lidocaine 2.5% with Prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA®)
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Formulary
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Lidocaine 4% cream (LMX4®)
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Formulary
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Lidocaine 5% and Phenylephrine 0.5%
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Formulary
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- 5% lidocaine & 0.5% phenylephrine solution with
applicator
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Lidocaine Spray
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Formulary
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- Metered dose spray (10mg/spray)
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Lidocaine with Adrenaline Injections
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Formulary
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15.02 |
Mepivacaine |
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15.02 |
Prilocaine |
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Prilocaine Hydrochloride
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Formulary
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- 0.5% 10ml injection
unlicensed, 1% 20ml injection.
- 4% 2ml injection (cartridges).
- 2% 5ml injection (cartridges)
- Only to be used in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia for day surgery where the procedure is anticipated to last less than 90 minutes.
- 3% & felypressin injection (cartridges).
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15.02 |
Chloroprocaine |
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Chloroprocaine hydrochloride (Ampres®)
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Formulary
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- 50mg/5ml ampoules & 400mg/20ml vials.
- Approved for spinal nerve and peripheral blocks. To be reviewed in April 2022.
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15.02 |
Ropivacaine |
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Ropivacaine Hydrochloride
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Formulary
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- 0.2% (200mL) infusion
- approved for peripheral nerve block infusions for post-operative pain
- 0.75% (10mL)
- approved for use in setting of conversion from labour epidural analgesia to surgical analgesia for emergency caesarean section
- 0.2% (10mL) solution for injection
- approved as an option for ambulatory day case hand surgery
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15.02 |
Tetracaine |
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Tetracaine (Amethocaine) (Ametop®)
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Formulary
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15.02 |
Other local anaesthetics |
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Articaine Hydrochloride with Adrenaline
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Formulary
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- Articaine 4% & adrenaline 1 in 100,000 injection
- approved for mandibular procedures in patients in whom nerve blocks are contraindicated.
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Cocaine
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Formulary
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- 4% nasal solution (drops)
unlicensed 25% paste (1g syringe pack) unlicensed
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Cocaine with Adrenaline
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Formulary
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- 4% solution with adrenaline
unlicensed
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Ethyl Chloride Spray
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Formulary
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Mepivacaine
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Formulary
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Mepivacaine IV
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Formulary
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PR Freeze Spray
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Formulary
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Key |
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Restricted Drug |
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Unlicensed |
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Link to adult BNF
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Link to children's BNF
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Link to SPCs
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Cytotoxic Drug |
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Controlled Drug |
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High Cost Medicine |
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NHS England |
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Homecare |
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ICB |
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Low carbon footprint |
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Medium carbon footprint |
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High carbon footprint |
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Status |
Description |

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Drugs for hospital use only. The responsibility for initiation and monitoring treatment should rest with an appropriate hospital clinician and the drug should be supplied through the hospital throughout the duration of treatment. In some very exceptional circumstances (e.g. due to distance from the hospital, storage, supply or mobility/transport problems) it may be appropriate for the GP to be asked to prescribe a Red drug. This should be negotiated on an individual patient basis and should only be done with the GP’s prior informed agreement where the roles of the GP and hospital services are clearly defined and agreed. The GP should not feel under pressure to prescribe in these circumstances. For all RED drugs automatically added to the formulary in response to a positive NICE TA: Prescribers need to ensure that local Trust new drug governance procedures and pharmacy processes are followed before any prescribing. |

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Drugs initiated by hospital specialist, but where continuing treatment by GPs may be appropriate under a shared care arrangement. These medicines are considered suitable for primary care prescribing following specialist initiation of therapy and stabilisation, with ongoing communication between the primary care prescriber and specialist as set out in the associated shared care guideline (SCG). Shared care should be initiated by the specialist, which includes consultant, suitably trained specialist non-medical prescriber or GPwER within a secondary, tertiary, or primary care clinic.
The specialist should send the primary care prescriber a copy of the NENC Clinical Effectiveness and Governance (CEG) Subcommittee approved SCG to sign. The primary care prescriber should sign the SCG or indicate reasons why they are unable to accept the agreement and return a copy back to the specialist, as soon as possible.
SCGs are available or are being developed for most of the drugs listed as AMBER. |

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Drugs normally recommended or initiated by a hospital specialist who is a prescriber, a GP with an extended role [GPwER], or a specialist within primary care which can be safely maintained in primary care and monitored in primary care. In some cases, a further restriction for use may be defined. The primary care prescriber must be familiar with the drug to take on prescribing responsibility or must obtain the required information from the specialist. Therefore, provision of additional information, or an information leaflet, may be appropriate in some cases to facilitate continuing treatment by primary care prescriber or provide information re stopping criteria.
These are considered suitable for primary care prescribing following specialist assessment and recommendation of therapy, with ongoing communication between the primary care prescriber and specialist, if necessary.
In some case these drugs require specialist initiation and short to medium term monitoring of efficacy or toxicity until the patient’s dose is stable. Following specialist review the patient may be transferred to primary care for ongoing prescribing. Ongoing prescribing by primary care can include, if required, additional dose titrations and assessment of efficacy, with ongoing communication between the primary care prescriber and specialist, if necessary.
If the drug requires urgent initiation, it is expected that the specialist undertakes the initial prescribing responsibility for an appropriate period of time, usually a minimum of 28 days. A GREEN+ drug can only be recommended to primary care for initiation if does not need to be initiated within 28 days. |

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Medicines suitable for initiation, ongoing prescribing and discontinuation in all care settings, subject to appropriate communication between those responsible. |

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UNDER REVIEW: drugs whose current formulary status or RAG status is currently under review. |

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Drugs that have been considered by the NENC Clinical Effectiveness and Governance (CEG) Subcommittee (or other approved body) and are not approved for prescribing within the North East and North Cumbria ICS. These may also include all medicines with a “not NHS” or “DLCV” classification in the BNF, those agents as included within the NICE “Do not do” list, and those agents included with the NHS England: Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care. |
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