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 Formulary Chapter 4: Central nervous system - Full Chapter
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04.10.02  Expand sub section  Nicotine dependence
Bupropion Hydrochloride
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  • RAG status as per local commissioning arrangements
  • MHRA Drug Safety Update (Nov 2020): Bupropion (Zyban): risk of serotonin syndrome with use with other serotonergic drugs
  • Resistant depression Red
 
 
Nicotine
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Green
  • The following nicotine replacement treatments are approved:
    • Nicotine gum -  2mg & 4mg sugar-free chewing gum (Nicorette® is the gum of choice).
    • Nicotine 16 hour patch - 10mg, 15mg, and 25mg/16 hour patches (Nicorette® Invisi). 
    • Nicotine 24 hour patch - 7mg & 14mg, and 21mg /24 hour patches (Nicotinell® is the patch of choice as potential savings to be made).
    • Nicotine lozenges - 2mg and 4mg lozenges (Niquitin® is the lozenge of choice), 1.5mg and 4mg mini lozenges (NiQuitin® Minis Lozenges).
    • Nicotine 2mg sublingual tablets.
    • Nicotine inhalator -  15mg cartridges for use in inhalator.
    • Nicotine oromucosal spray - Nicorette® Quickmist 1mg per dose.

  • North Cumbria - Smoking Cessation is commissioned separately through community pharmacies and should not be prescribed on FP10's
  • Newcastle/Gateshead - Local Authority smoking cessation programme should be used. NRT should not routinely be prescribed on FP10

 

 
 
Varenicline
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  • Only approved for use in accordance with NICE guidance. 
  • RAG status as per local commissioning arrangements.
 
Link  NICE TA123: Varenicline
 
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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
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Cytotoxic Drug
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CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
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NHS England
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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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