British National Formulary Ed 85

The British National Formulary (BNF) is the first choice for concise medicines information. Trusted by health professionals across the world to support confident decision-making at the point of care. The new edition (BNF 85) provides up-to-date guidance on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines, plus legal and professional guidelines. Extensive content updates in the BNF 85 edition include: New monographs for: • Aklief® (trifarotene) for acne vulgaris • Drovelis® (drospirenone with estetrol) for hormonal contraception • Ducressa® (dexamethasone with levofloxacin) for prophylaxis or treatment of postoperative inflammation, or prevention of infection, following cataract surgery • Kerendia® (finerenone) for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes • Magnesium citrate for treatment and prevention of magnesium deficiency • Netildex® (dexamethasone with netilmicin) for local treatment of eye inflammation and bacterial infection • Nettacin® (netilmicin) for local treatment of eye infection • Sibnayal® (potassium citrate with potassium bicarbonate) for distal renal tubular acidosis • Tenkasi® (oritavancin) for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections • Vydura® (rimegepant) for treatment or prophylaxis of migraine • Xerava® (eravacycline) for complicated intra-abdominal infections MHRA advice on: • Anagrelide: risk of thrombosis, including cerebral infarction, if treatment discontinued abruptly • Denosumab (Prolia®): should not be used in patients under 18 years due to the risk of serious hypercalcaemia • Dexmedetomidine: clinical trial finds increased risk of mortality in intensive care unit patients aged 65 years or younger • Metformin hydrochloride: reduced vitamin B12 levels and new advice for monitoring patients at risk • Methylphenidate hydrochloride long-acting (modified-release) preparations: caution if switching between products due to differences in formulations • Nebulised asthma rescue therapy in children: home use of nebulisers in paediatric asthma should be initiated and managed only by specialists • Rucaparib (Rubraca®): withdrawal of third-line treatment indication • Topiramate (Topamax®): start of safety review triggered by a study reporting an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children with prenatal exposure Other significant changes include updated guidance on: • Antibacterials for the prevention of secondary cases of diphtheria, and addition of guidance for the prevention of intra-uterine infection in preterm prelabour rupture of membranes • Contraceptive interactions • Prescribing of drugs associated with dependence and withdrawal • COVID-19 vaccines • Management of depression • Diphtheria vaccine • Management of epilepsy • Management of gout • Post-exposure prophylaxis of herpesvirus infections • Hydrocortisone: addition of children’s dosing for adrenal crisis • Management of hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes • Management of multiple sclerosis • Obstetrics: preterm labour • Tacrolimus: updated pregnancy, breast-feeding and monitoring advice • Type 1 diabetes: inclusion of continuous glucose monitoring in aims of treatment • Type 2 diabetes: use of non-insulin antidiabetic drugs • Valaciclovir: update to indication and doses in line with UK Health Security Agency recommendations on post-exposure prophylaxis for chickenpox and shingles Order your copy and get: • Up-to-date information on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines • Authoritative, independent guidance on best practice enabling you to select safe and effective medicines • Information you can trust for quality and reliability • Everything you need at your fingertips, all in one book