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 Formulary Chapter 4: Central nervous system - Full Chapter
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04.10.03  Expand sub section  Opioid dependence
Controlled Drug Buprenorphine 400 microgram, 2mg, and 4mg sublingual tablets
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Formulary
Red

  • Only approved for use in accordance with NICE guidance. 

  • In the treatment of substance misuse the 400microgram strength should be prescribed as Subutex® to avoid a product licensed for pain relief being supplied

 
 
Controlled Drug Buprenorphine and Naloxone (Suboxone®)
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Lofexidine (BritLofex®)
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Formulary
Red
  • Green plus South Tyneside and Sunderland only 
 
 
Controlled Drug Methadone
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Formulary
Green plus
  • Methadone 5mg in 5ml oral solution and 5mg in 5ml sugar free solution are both approved for the management of opioid dependence in line with NICE.
  • Red CD&TV and ST&S
 
 
Naltrexone 50 mg tablets (Nalorex®)
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Formulary
Red
  • Approved for the management of opioid dependence in detoxified formerly opioid-dependent people in line with NICE.
  • Also approved NoTGhdNC for use in reducing agitation and/ or selfinjurious behaviour in patients with learning disabilities or autism (unlicensedunlicensed indication). Treatment must be initiated by an appropriate hospital specialist.
 
Link  NICE TA115: Drug misuse - naltrexone
 
04.10.03  Expand sub section  Opioid substitution therapy
Controlled Drug Buprenorphine (Buvidal®)
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Alternatives
Red
  • 8mg/0.16ml 16mg/0.32ml, 24mg/0.48ml, 32mg/0.64ml, 64mg/0.18ml, 96mg/0.27ml, 128mg/0.36ml 160mg/0.45ml prolonged-release solution for injection (pre-filled syringes).
    • Approved for the treatment of opioid dependance  in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over, by substance misuse service providers, in line with NTAG and RMOC guidance.


 

 
Link  NTAG - Buprenorphine prolonged release injection for opioid dependence
 
04.10.03  Expand sub section  Adjunctive therapy and symptomatic treatment
04.10.03  Expand sub section  Opioid-receptor antagonists
 ....
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
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Link to adult BNF
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Link to children's BNF
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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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