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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...
05.03  Expand sub section  Antiviral drugs
Molnupiravir
(Oral )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Peginterferon Alfa
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital only

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA106: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of mild chronic hepatitis C
Link  NICE TA200: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
Link  NICE TA300: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C in children and young people
Link  NICE TA75: Interferon alfa (pegylated and non-pegylated) and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
 
Peginterferon Alfa (Pegasys®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only

Hospital only

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA106: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of mild chronic hepatitis C
Link  NICE TA200: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
Link  NICE TA300: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C in children and young people
Link  NICE TA75: Interferon alfa (pegylated and non-pegylated) and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
 
Remdesivir (Veklury®)
(IV)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.01  Expand sub section  HIV infection
05.03.01  Expand sub section  Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Abacavir
(Tablets)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Abacavir and Lamivudine
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Abacavir with dolutegravir and lamivudine (Triumeq ®)
(Tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Elvitegravir with cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (Genvoya®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Emtricitabine (Emtriva®)
(Oral presentations)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Emtricitabine 200mg, Rilpivirine 25mg and Tenofovir 245mg (Eviplera®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
BlueTeq

Blueteq /prior approval form 

 
 
Emtricitabine with rilpivirine and tenofovir alafenamide ( Odefsey® )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide (Descovy®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Lamivudine
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Lamivudine (Epivir®, Zeffix®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Lamivudine with dolutegravir (Dovato®)
(Oral )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Lamivudine with tenofovir disoproxil and doravirine (Delstrigo®)
(Oral )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Rilpivirine hydrochloride (Edurant®)
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Rilpivirine hydrochloride (Rekambys®)
(IV)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Tenofovir, cobicistat, elvitegravir & emtricitabine (Stribild®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Zidovudine
(capsules )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Zidovudine (Retrovir®)
(IV & SF solution)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Zidovudine and Lamivudine
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.01  Expand sub section  Protease inhibitors
Atazanavir
(capsules)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Atazanavir with cobicistat (Evotaz®)
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Formulary
BlueTeq

Blueteq /prior approval form

 
 
Baloxavir marboxil
(Tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Bictegravir with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Darunavir
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Darunavir with cobicistat (Rezolsta®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
BlueTeq

Blueteq /prior approval form

 
 
Darunavir with cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (Symtuza®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
BlueTeq

Blueteq /prior approval form

 
 
Dolutegravir (Tivicay ®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Dolutegravir with rilpivirine (Juluca®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Fosamprenavir (Telzir®)
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Lopinavir and Ritonavir (Kaletra®)
(tablets & solution)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Lopinavir with Ritonavir
(Oral )
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Nirmatrelvir With Ritonavir
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Ritonavir
(Oral presentations)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.01  Expand sub section  Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors to top
Doravirine (Pifeltro®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Etravirine (Intelence®)
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Nevirapine
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Nevirapine (Viramune®)
(tablets, extended release tablets & suspension)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.01  Expand sub section  Other antiretrovirals
Cabotegravir (Vocabria®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View SMC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA757: Cabotegravir with rilpivirine for treating HIV-1
 
Elbasvir with grazoprevir (Zepatier®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon®)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Maraviroc
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Maraviroc (Celsentri®)
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Raltegravir (Isentress ®)
(tablets)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.01  Expand sub section  Pharmacokinetic enhancers of antiretrovirals
Cobicistat (Tybost ®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.01  Expand sub section  Combination Products
05.03.02  Expand sub section  Herpesvirus infections
Aciclovir lauriad (Sitavig)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
All settings
 
 
05.03.02.01  Expand sub section  Herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infection to top
Famciclovir
(Oral )
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Second Choice
All settings

Second line for Shingles 

 
 
Valaciclovir
(Oral presentations)
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Second Choice
All settings

To be used in exceptional cases only

Least cost effective option

Second line for shingles if compliance is a problem 

£££££

 
 
Aciclovir
(injection)
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Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Aciclovir
(Oral presentations)
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Formulary
All settings

 

Tablets most cost effective choice 

Dispersible tablets £

Suspension ££

 
 
Inosine Pranobex (Imunovir®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.02.02  Expand sub section  Cytomegalovirus infection
Cidofovir
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Foscarnet Sodium
(infusion)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Foscarnet Sodium (Foscavir®)
(infusion)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Ganciclovir
(infusion)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Ganciclovir (Cymevene®)
(infusion)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Letermovir (Prevymis®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
NHS England

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA591: Letermovir for preventing cytomegalovirus disease after a stem cell transplant
 
Valganciclovir
(Oral presentations)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.03  Expand sub section  Viral hepatitis
Adefovir Dipivoxil (Hepsera®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
Link  NICE CG165: Hepatitis B (chronic) - diagnosis and management
Link  NICE TA96: Adefovir dipivoxil and peginterfeon alfa-2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B
 
Entecavir
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
Link  NICE CG165: Hepatitis B (chronic) - diagnosis and management
Link  NICE TA153: Entecavir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B
 
Entecavir (Baraclude®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
Link  NICE CG165: Hepatitis B (chronic) - diagnosis and management
Link  NICE TA153: Entecavir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B
 
05.03.03.01  Expand sub section  Chronic hepatitis B
Tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Tenofovir Disproxil
(Oral presentations)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.03.02  Expand sub section  Chronic hepatitis C
Glecaprevir-pibrentasvir (Maviret®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
High Cost Medicine
NHS England

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA499: Glecaprevir–pibrentasvir for treating chronic hepatitis C
 
Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only

 

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA363: Ledipasvir–sofosbuvir for treating chronic hepatitis C
 
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir (Vosevi®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
NHS England

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA507: Sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir for treating chronic hepatitis C
 
Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only

 

In line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA430: Sofosbuvir–velpatasvir for treating chronic hepatitis C
 
05.03.04  Expand sub section  Influenza to top
Oseltamivir
(Oral presentations)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
First Choice
All settings

Green-For Primary Care- Green only during Flu season and on authorisation by NHS England/Department of Health & Social Care or via commissioned service for out of season supply

 
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)
(capsules & suspension SF)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
First Choice
All settings

Green-For Primary Care- Green only during Flu season and on authorisation by NHS England/Department of Health & Social Care or via commissioned service for out of season supply

 
Zanamivir  (Relenza®)
(dry powder for inhalation )
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Second Choice
All settings

Green For Primary Care-Green only during Flu season and on authorisation by NHS England/Department of Health & Social Care or via commissioned service for out of season supply

 
Link  UKM I Q&A: Oseltamivir or zanamivir – can mothers breastfeed after treatment for influenza?
Link  TA 168: Amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of influenza
Link  TA158: Oseltamivir, amantadine (review) and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza
 
Amantadine Hydrochloride
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Zanamivir Injection (Dectova ®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
05.03.05  Expand sub section  Respiratory syncytial virus
Palivizumab (Synagis®)
(Injection)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
 
Ribavirin
(Tablet, Capsules & Inhalation)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Specialist only
 
Link  NICE TA300: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C in children and young people
Link  NICE TA106: Hepatitis C - peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
Link  NICE TA200: Hepatitis C - peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
Link  NICE TA75: Hepatitis C - pegylated interferons, ribavirin and alfa interferon
 
 ....
 Non Formulary Items
Abacavir  (Ziagen®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Abacavir and Lamivudine  (Kivexa®)
(tablets)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Abacavir and Lamivudine and Zidovudine  (Trizivir®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Amantadine Hydrochloride  (Symmetrel®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Amprenavir  (Agenerase®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Darunavir  (Prezista®)
(tablets)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Didanosine  (Videx®)
(capsules)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Efavirenz
(Tablets)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil  (Atripla® )

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil  (Ictastan®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil  (Truvada®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Fostemsavir  (Rukobia®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Indinavir  (Crixivan®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Nelfinavir

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Ritonavir  (Norvir®)
(tablets & SF solution)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Saquinavir  (Invirase®)
(tablets)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Stavudine
(capsules)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Tenofovir Disproxil  (Viread®)
(tablets)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Link  NICE CG165: Hepatitis B (chronic) - diagnosis and management
Link  NICE TA173: Hepatitis B (chronic) - tenofovir disoproxil
Tenofovir Disproxil  (Viread®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
test Chronic hepatitis C

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Tipranavir  (Aptivus®)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Zidovudine  (Retrovir®)
(capsules )

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
Zidovudine and Lamivudine  (Combivir®)
(tablets)

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Do not prescribe
  
Key
Restricted Drug Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to adult BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to children's BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
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.  

netFormulary