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 Formulary Chapter 5: Infections - Full Chapter
Notes:

This formulary indicates prescribing status only, for guidance on managing infections please refer to your local antibiotic guidelines

Summary of antimicrobial prescribing guidance - managing common infections

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 Details...
05.01.02.01  Expand sub section  Cephalosporins
Cefalexin
(Oral presentations)
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Formulary
All settings
 
Link  Summary of antimicrobial prescribing guidance - managing common infections
 
Cefotaxime
(Injection)
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Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital use only under microbiological advice 

 
 
Cefazolin
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Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital use only under microbiological advice

 
 
Cefepime
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Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital use only under microbiological advice

 
 
Cefiderocol (Fetcroja®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
BlueTeq

Hospital use only under microbiological advice. Blueteq applications required 

 
 
Cefixime (Suprax®)
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Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital use only under microbiological advice 

 
 
Ceftazidime
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Formulary

RedHospital use only under microbiological advice 

Green Under OPAT sheme

 
 
Ceftazidime with avibactam
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Formulary
Specialist only
BlueTeq

Hospital use only under microbiological advice 

 
 
Ceftobiprole (Zevtera®)
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Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital use only under microbiological advice 

 
 
Ceftolozane with tazobactam
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Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital use only under microbiological advice 

 
 
Ceftriaxone
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Restricted Drug Restricted

GreenInjectable - Green under OPAT scheme in Primary Care

Secondary care - for specific indications 

 
 
Cefuroxime (Oral and IV )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
 ....
 Non Formulary Items
Cefaclor

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefaclor  (Distaclor®)

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefaclor  (Distaclor® MR)

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefadroxil

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefoxitin

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefoxitin  (Renoxitin®)

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefpodoxime

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefradine

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Ceftaroline  (Zinforo®)

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Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Cefuroxime Axetil

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Non Formulary
  
Key
Restricted Drug Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
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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
Cancer Drugs Fund
Cancer Drugs Fund
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
ICB
ICB
Green Low Carbon

Low carbon footprint

Amber Medium Carbon

Medium carbon footprint

Red High carbon footprint

High carbon footprint

Status Description

All settings

All Settings
Suitable for initiation, ongoing prescribing, and discontinuation in both primary and secondary care settings. They are generally familiar, frequently used therapies that can be started within their licensed indications without specialist oversight.  

Specialist only

Specialist only
Designated for initiation, ongoing prescribing, monitoring, exclusively by a specialists either in a hospital or as part of a specialist service (to note this could be in a non-hospital setting). Primary care should neither start nor continue these treatments except as part of a specialist service. A specialist could be either a medical or non-medical prescriber.  

Specialist advice

Specialist advice
Prescribers in primary care should seek advice and a recommendation from a specialists prior to initiating a medicine. Once agreed with a specialist, medicines can be initiated, prescribed and monitored in primary care without a formal shared-care agreement.   

Specialist initiation

Specialist initiation
Medicines in this category require a specialist to start therapy, titrate dosage, and assess initial efficacy or tolerability. Once stabilised, prescribing responsibility may transfer to primary care without the need for a formal shared-care agreement.  

Shared care agreement

Shared care agreement
Prescribing responsibility can be shared across health settings and between specialists and GPs only when formal shared care arrangement has been made. For example, there may be extensive and complex monitoring requirements or significant safety concerns (note would need a national policy on this to define the criteria for requiring a formal SCA), this will be produced once nationally.  

Do not prescribe

Do not prescribe
Not approved for routine prescribing in primary or secondary care. For example, because they are agents classified in the BNF as “not NHS” or “Drugs of Low Clinical Value”, or they are products on NICE’s “do not do” list or NHS England’s “should not routinely prescribe” list.  

Self Care

Self Care
Not for routine prescribed in primary or secondary care unless as part of care for a long term condition. Instead, patients should be encouraged to self care with support from community pharmacy.   

Green

Medicines which are suitable for initiation and maintenance prescribing by primary and secondary care clinicians. These medicines should be initiated and prescribed within their licensed indications  

Amber Initiation

Amber Specialist Initiation: Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by Specialists and transfer to Primary Care prescribing when appropriate. This may be supported by a RICaD, annotated within the formulary entry.  

Amber SC

Amber Shared Care: Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by Specialists and transfer to Primary Care prescribing, in accordance with an ESCA, annotated within the formulary entry.  

Amber Recommended

Amber Specialist Recommendation: Initiation and maintenance of prescribing in Primary Care following recommendation from a specialist.  

Red

Medicines for initiation and maintenance prescribing by Specialists (hospital or GPs with Special Interest) only  

Grey

Positive NICE TA and /or awaiting local clarification on place in therapy; Please contact your Medicines Optimisation team for more information.  

Black

Non-formulary Medicines which APC/Trust DTC has actively reviewed and do not recommend for use.  

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