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 Formulary Chapter 2: Cardiovascular system - Full Chapter
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02.03.02  Expand sub section  Drugs for arrhythmias
02.03.02  Expand sub section  Supraventricular arrhythmias
02.03.02  Expand sub section  Supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias
Amiodarone
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Formulary
  • 100mg & 200mg tablets Amber
  • 50mg in 5ml suspension is also approved Amber unlicensedunlicensed
  • 150mg/3ml & 300mg/10ml injection Red Traffic Light

NHS England (June 2019) advises that prescribers should not initiate amiodarone in primary care for any new patient.

in exceptional circumstances, where there is a clinical need for amiodarone to be prescribed, this should be undertaken in a cooperation arrangement with a multi-disciplinary team and/or other healthcare professional. Amiodarone has an important place in the treatment of severe cardiac rhythm disorders where other treatments either cannot be used or have failed. It has potential major toxicity and its use requires monitoring both clinically and via laboratory testing. 

MHRA Drug Safety Update (Mar 2022): Amiodarone (Cordarone X): reminder of risks of treatment and need for patient monitoring and supervision

 
Link  NENC Shared Care Protocol - Amiodarone for patients in adult services
 
Atenolol
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Formulary
Green
 
 
Flecainide
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Formulary
Green plus
  • 50mg & 100mg tablets
  • 5mg in 1ml liquid unlicensedunlicensed. 
 
 
Propafenone
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Formulary
Green plus
 
 
Disopyramide
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Formulary
Green plus
 
 
Dronedarone
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Formulary
Amber
  • Approved for patients who are unsuitable for or not tolerant of amiodarone. Treatment should be initiated by a cardiologist.
 
Link  NENC Shared Care Protocol - dronedarone for patients in adult services
Link  NICE TA197 (Atrial fibrillation - dronedarone)
 
Flecainide Injection
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Formulary
Red
  • Injection: 150ml/15ml 
 
 
Mexiletine
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Formulary
Red

  • unlicensed unlicensed

  • ECG monitoring is required to be carried out by as part of the initiation process of mexiletine.

 
 
Sotalol
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Formulary
Green plus
 
 
Ajmaline
Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
Red
  • For use as a diagnostic test of Brugada syndrome.
 
 
02.03.02  Expand sub section  Ventricular arrhythmias
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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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