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 Formulary Chapter 4: Central nervous system - Full Chapter
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04.07.03  Expand sub section  Neuropathic pain
 note 

North East North Cumbria (NENC) ICB Medicines Committee Position Statement on Prescribing in Persistent Pain

Prescribing of gabapentinoids to treat persistent non-neuropathic pain is NOT routinely recommended

Note: other drugs such as Ketamine (see section 15.1.1) may also be advised by pain/palliative care specialists in the management of neuropathic pain.

Amitriptyline
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First Choice
Green
 
Gabapentin
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Second Choice
Green
  • For use in the treatment of neuropathic pain
  • Gabapentin is also approved for hospital use  as an adjunct to other treatment in the management of peri/post-operative pain. Red Traffic Light unlicensedunlicensed
  • GPs should not be asked to prescribe gabapentin for this unlicensed indication.
  • Approved for intractable itch with severe burns Green plus

 

 
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Alert (Oct 2017): Gabapentin (Neurontin): risk of severe respiratory depression
 
Pregabalin
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Second Choice
Green
  • Pregabalin is restricted to use in the management neuropathic pain as a second choice where treatment with gabapentin has been unsuccessful or not tolerated.
 
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (Apr 2022): Pregabalin (Lyrica): findings of safety study on risks during pregnancy
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (Feb 2021): Pregabalin (Lyrica): reports of severe respiratory depression
 
Nortriptyline
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Formulary
Green plus
 
 
Carbamazepine
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Alternatives
Green
  • Restricted use in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia only.
 
 
Duloxetine
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Alternatives
Green

  • For third-line use (after drugs such as the tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentin) in the treatment of neuropathic pain on the advice of pain specialists.

 
 
Phenytoin
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Alternatives
Green
 
 
04.07.03  Expand sub section  Trigeminal neuralgia
04.07.03  Expand sub section  Postherpetic neuralgia
Capsaicin
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Formulary

  • Qutenza® cutaneous patch approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain as fourth line agent for neuropathic pain and in line with the attached regionally agreed pathway. Red

  • 0.075% cream (Axsain®) approved for post hepatic neuralgia and peripheral diabetic neuropathy Green plus

 
Link  NTAG - Treatment Appraisal Decision Summary - Capsaicin (Qutenza)
Link  NTAG Pathway for the use of Qutenza (Capsaicin 8%) in the Neuropathic Pain Patient Group
 
Lidocaine 5% medicated plasters (700mg lidocaine/plaster)
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Formulary
Green plus

  • For use in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia only, on the advice of pain specialists and subject to an appropriate trial of efficacy in each individual patient.

 
Link  Co Durham & Tees Valley APC – Advice on prescribing Lidocaine Patches in Primary Care
 
04.07.03  Expand sub section  Chronic facial pain
 ....
Key
note Notes
Section Title Section Title (top level)
Section Title Section Title (sub level)
First Choice Item First Choice item
Non Formulary Item Non Formulary section
Restricted Drug
Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug
Unlicensed
Track Changes
Display tracking information
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to adult BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to children's BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to SPCs
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
CCG
CCG

Traffic Light Status Information

Status Description

Red

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.  

Amber

Drugs initiated by hospital specialist, but where continuing treatment by GPs may be appropriate under a shared care arrangement. The specialist should send the GP a copy of the shared care agreement to sign. The GP should sign the shared care agreement, or indicate they do not want to be part of such an agreement, and return a copy back to the specialist. Shared care guidelines are available or are being developed for most of the drugs listed as Amber. If no shared care guideline is available, the hospital specialist should provide the patient’s GP with sufficient information and support to allow treatment to be continued and managed safely in primary care.  

Green plus

Drugs normally recommended or initiated by a specialist (hospital or GP with an extended role https://www.rcgp.org.uk/gpwer), but can be safely maintained in primary care with very little or no monitoring required. In some cases there may be a further restriction for use outlined - these will be defined in each case. Provision of additional information, or an information leaflet, may be appropriate in some cases to facilitate continuing treatment by GPs.  

Green

Drugs where prescribing by GPs is appropriate. Can be initiated and prescribed in all care settings, and if appropriate, discontinued without recourse to secondary care.  

Black

NOT APPROVED: Drugs that have been considered by NTAG or the NENC ICB Medicines Subcommittee (or other approved body) and are not approved for prescribing within the North East and North Cumbria.   

Brown

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

Not Recomended

NOT REVIEWED: Drugs that haven not been reviewed yet. This usually means that an application is in progress. These drugs are not normally considered appropriate for prescribing in the North East and North Cumbria until such time that a decision is taken on their formulary status.  

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