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 Formulary Chapter 10: Musculoskeletal and joint diseases - Full Chapter
Notes:

This chapter of the formulary is under continual development, please let the team know if you have any comments about the contents: mlcsu.lscformulary@nhs.net

For more information about the formulary development process, please see: https://www.lancsmmg.nhs.uk/lancashire-and-south-cumbria-icb-formulary-development/

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 Details...
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Drugs which suppress the rheumatic disease process
BimekizumabBlack Triangle (Bimzelx®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

Pre-filled syringe/pen 160mg

 

ICB Commissioned

 
Link  NICE TA916: Bimekizumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis
Link  NICE TA918: Bimekizumab for treating axial spondyloarthritis
 
SarilumabBlack Triangle (Kevzara®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
ICB
BlueTeq

Pre-filled pen 150mg. 200mg
Pre-filled syringe 150mg, 200mg

 
Link  NICE TA485: Sarilumab for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
 
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Gold
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Penicillamine
Penicillamine
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 2

Tablets 125mg

 
Link  LSCMMG: Shared care guideline - Penicillamine
 
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Antimalarials
Hydroxychloroquine
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 0

Tablets 200mg, 300mg

 
Link  LSCMMG: Hydroxychloroquine information sheet
 
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Drugs affecting the immune response to top
Abatacept (Orencia®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
Homecare
BlueTeq

Intravenous infusion 250mg
S/C injection 125mg prefilled syringe pre-filled pen 

Usually supplied to patients by a home delivery company

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  NICE TA373: Abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept and tocilizumab for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA715: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis after conventional DMARDs have failed
 
Adalimumab (Biosimilars avaliable)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
Homecare
BlueTeq

S/C injection 40mg prefilled syringe and pen

Usually supplied to patients by a home delivery company

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  MHRA: Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors
Link  NICE TA195:Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor
Link  NICE TA199: Etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Link  NICE TA373: Abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept and tocilizumab for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA383: TNF-alpha inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Link  NICE TA715: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis after conventional DMARDs have failed
 
Anakinra (Kineret®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine

Solution for injection pre-filled syringes  100mg/0.67mL

 
Link  NICE TA685: Anakinra for treating Still’s disease
 
Apremilast
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

Tablets 10mg, 20mg, 30mg

 
Link  MHRA: Apremilast (Otezla ▼): risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour
Link  NICE TA433: Apremilast for treating active psoriatic arthritis
 
Cytotoxic Drug Azathioprine
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 2

Tablets 25mg, 50mg

 
Link  LSCMMG: Shared care guideline - Azathioprine
 
Certolizumab Pegol (Cimzia®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
ICB
Homecare
BlueTeq

S/C injection 200mg prefilled syringe pre-filled pen 

Usually supplied to patients by a home delivery company

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  MHRA: Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA415: Certolizumab pegol for treating rheumatoid arthritis after inadequate response to a TNF-alpha inhibitor
Link  NICE TA445: Certolizumab pegol and secukinumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
 
Ciclosporin
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 2

Capsules 25mg, 50mg, 100mg

 
Link  LSCMMG: Shared care guideline - Ciclosporin
 
Cytotoxic Drug Cyclophosphamide
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
Tablets 50mg
Injection 200mg, 500mg, 1g

unlicensedunlicensed use 
 
Etanercept (Biosimilars avaliable)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
Homecare
BlueTeq

S/C injection 25mg, 50mg vial with diluent and prefilled syringe pre-filled pen 

usually supplied to patients by a home delivery company

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  MHRA: Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors
Link  NICE TA195:Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor
Link  NICE TA199: Etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Link  NICE TA373: Abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept and tocilizumab for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA383: TNF-alpha inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Link  NICE TA715: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis after conventional DMARDs have failed
 
Golimumab (Simponi®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
Homecare
BlueTeq

S/C injection 50mg, 100mg, prefilled syringe pre-filled pen 

Usually supplied to patients by a home delivery company

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  MHRA: Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors
Link  NICE TA220: Golimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Link  NICE TA225: Golimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA383: TNF-alpha inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Link  NICE TA497: Golimumab for treating non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
 
Guselkumab (Tremfya®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
ICB

Solution for injection in pre-filled pen 100mg/1ml

 
Link  NICE TA815: Guselkumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
 
Infliximab (Biosimilars avaliable)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
BlueTeq

Intravenous infusion 100mg, 120mg/ml pre-filled pen

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  MHRA: Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors
Link  NICE TA195:Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor
Link  NICE TA199: Etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA383: TNF-alpha inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Link  NICE TA715: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis after conventional DMARDs have failed
 
Ixekizumab
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

80mg solution for injection prefilled syringe; prefilled pen

 
Link  NICE TA537: Ixekizumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
Link  NICE TA718: Ixekizumab for treating axial spondyloarthritis
 
Leflunomide
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 2

Tablets 10mg, 20mg

 
Link  LSCMMG: Shared care guideline - Leflunomide
 
Cytotoxic Drug Methotrexate (check local policy - branded generic available )
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 2

Tablets 2.5mg

S/C 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg, 17.5mg, 20mg, 22.5mg, 25mg and 30mg


Methotrexate should be prescribed once weekly as a single dose on the same day each week.
If oral methotrexate is prescribed only use the 2.5 mg strength.

See hospital policy for prescribing and supply of oral methotrexate

 
Link  LSCMMG: Shared care guideline - Methotrexate
 
RisankizumabBlack Triangle (Skyrizi®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
ICB
BlueTeq

solution for injection pre-filled syringes, solution for injection pre-filled pen 150mg/mL

 
Link  NICE TA803: Risankizumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
 
Rituximab (rheumatology) (Biosimilars avaliable)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
BlueTeq

Concentrate for intravenous infusion 500mg/50mL


REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  NICE TA195:Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor
 
Secukinumab
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

150mg/ml pre-filled pens/syringes

 
Link  NICE TA407: Secukinumab for active ankylosing spondylitis after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or TNF-alpha inhibitors
Link  NICE TA445: Certolizumab pegol and secukinumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
Link  NICE TA719: Secukinumab for treating non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
 
Tocilizumab (Biosimilars avaliable)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
BlueTeq

Concentrate for intravenous infusion (20mg/mL) 80mg, 200mg, 400mg vials

Soution for injection in pre-filled syringe 162mg

Solution for injection in pre-filled pen 162mg


Usually supplied to patients by a home delivery company

REQUIRES BLUETEQ APPROVAL

 
Link  MHRA: Tocilizumab (RoActemra): rare risk of serious liver injury including cases requiring transplantation
Link  NICE TA373: Abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept and tocilizumab for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Link  NICE TA375: Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed
Link  NICE TA518: Tocilizumab for treating giant cell arteritis
 
Ustekinumab
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

Subcutaneous injection 45mg, 90mg prefilled syringes and 45mg/0.5ml vials

 
Link  NICE TA340: Ustekinumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis
 
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Cytokine modulators
 note  Consultant Rheumatologist initiation only
Only to be prescribed in accordance with NICE Guidelines
BaricitinibBlack Triangle (Olumiant®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
ICB
Homecare
BlueTeq

Tablets 2mg, 4mg

 
Link  Baricitinib (Olumiant▼): risk of venous thromboembolism
Link  MHRA: Baricitinib (Olumiant▼): increased risk of diverticulitis, particularly in patients with risk factors
Link  NICE TA466: Baricitinib for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
 
Filgotinib Black Triangle (Jyseleca®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
ICB
BlueTeq

Tablets 100mg, 200mg

 
Link  NICE TA676: Filgotinib for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
 
TofacitinibBlack Triangle (Xeljanz®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

Tablets 5mg

MR Tablets 11mg

   CCG commissioned for TA547

 
Link  LSCMMG: Tofacitinib (Xeljanz▼): new measures to minimise risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and malignancies
Link  LSCMMG: Tofacitinib (Xeljanz▼): new measures to minimise risk of venous thromboembolism and of serious and fatal infections
Link  LSCMMG: Tofacitinib (Xeljanz▼): restriction of 10 mg twice-daily dose in patients at high risk of pulmonary embolism while safety review is ongoing
Link  NICE TA480: Tofacitinib for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
Link  NICE TA543: Tofacitinib for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
Link  NICE TA547: Tofacitinib for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis
Link  NICE TA735: Tofacitinib for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Link  NICE TA920: Tofacitinib for treating active ankylosing spondylitis
 
Upadacitinib Black Triangle (Rinvoq ®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
ICB
Homecare
BlueTeq

Prolonged release tablets 15mg

Red For NICE TA665: upadacitinib for treating severe rheumatoid arthritis - see link below

Red For NICE TA768: Upadacitinib for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs - see link below

Red For NICE TA829: Upadacitinib for treating active ankylosing spondylitis - see link below 

Red For NICE TA861 Upadacitinib for treating active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis - see link below
 
 
 
 
Link  NICE TA665: Upadacitinib for treating severe rheumatoid arthritis
Link  NICE TA744: Upadacitinib for treating moderate rheumatoid arthritis
Link  NICE TA768: Upadacitinib for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs
Link  NICE TA829: Upadacitinib for treating active ankylosing spondylitis
Link  NICE TA861: Upadacitinib for treating active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
 
10.01.03  Expand sub section  Sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine EC (Salazopyrin EN-Tabs®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Amber 2

E/C tablets 500mg

Other dose forms of sulfasalazine - see section 1.5, non e/c tablets and liquid are not licensed for rheumatoid arthritis

 
Link  LSCMMG: Shared care guideline - Sulfasalazine
 
 ....
 Non Formulary Items
  
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
SMC
Scottish Medicines Consortium
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

Green

Green: Appropriate for initiation and ongoing prescribing in both primary and secondary care. Generally, little or no routine drug monitoring is required.  

Green Restricted

Green (Restricted): Appropriate for initiation and ongoing prescribing in both primary and secondary care provided: Additional criteria specific to the medicine or device are met, or The medicine or device is used following the failure of other therapies as defined by the relevant LSCMMG pathway. Generally, little or no routine drug monitoring is required.   

Red

Red medicines: Medicine is supplied by the hospital for the duration of the treatment course. Primary care initiation or continuation of treatment is not recommended unless exceptional circumstances such as specialist GP. Red medicines are those where primary care prescribing is not recommended. These treatments should be initiated by specialists only and prescribing retained within secondary care. They require specialist knowledge, intensive monitoring, specific dose adjustments or further evaluation in use. If however, a primary care prescriber has particular specialist knowledge or experience of prescribing a particular drug for a particular patient it would not always be appropriate for them to expect to transfer that prescribing responsibility back to secondary care. There should be a specific reason and a specific risk agreement, protocol and service set up to support this. Primary care prescribers may prescribe RED medicines in exceptional circumstances to patients to ensure continuity of supply while arrangements are made to obtain ongoing supplies from secondary care.  

Amber 0

Amber level 0: Suitable for prescribing in primary care following recommendation or initiation by a specialist. Little or no specific monitoring required. Patient may need a regular review, but this would not exceed that required for other medicines routinely prescribed in primary care. Brief prescribing document or information sheet may be required. Primary care prescribers must be familiar with the drug to take on prescribing responsibility or must get the required information. When recommending or handing over care, specialists should ask primary care prescribers to take over prescribing responsibility, and should give enough information about the indication, dose, monitoring requirements, use outside product licence and any necessary dose adjustments to allow them to confidently prescribe.  

Amber 1

Amber level 1 (with shared care): Suitable for prescribing in primary care following recommendation or initiation by a specialist. Minimal monitoring required. Patient may need a regular review, but this would not exceed that required for other medicines routinely prescribed in primary care. Full prior agreement about patient’s on-going care must be reached under the shared care agreement. Primary care prescribers are advised not to take on prescribing of these medicines unless they have been adequately informed by letter of their responsibilities with regards monitoring, side effects and interactions and are happy to take on the prescribing responsibility. A copy of locally approved shared care guidelines should accompany this letter which outlines these responsibilities. Primary care prescribers should then tell secondary care of their intentions as soon as possible by letter so that arrangements can be made for the transfer of care.  

Amber 2

Amber level 2 (with shared care and enhanced service): Initiated by specialist and transferred to primary care following a successful initiation period. Significant monitoring required on an on-going basis. Full prior agreement about patient’s on-going care must be reached under the shared care agreement. Suitable for enhanced service. These medicines are considered suitable for GP prescribing following specialist initiation of therapy, as per shared care document which will be sent out with the request to prescribe, with on-going communication between the primary care prescriber and specialist. Amber Level 2 medicines require significant monitoring for which an enhanced service may be suitable. (Subject to local commissioning agreements).  

Do Not Prescribe

Do not prescribe: NOT recommended for use by the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Includes medicines that NICE has not recommended for use and terminated technology appraisals, unless there is a local need.  

Grey

Grey medicines: Medicines which have not yet been reviewed or are under the review process. GPs and specialists are recommended not to prescribe these drugs. This category includes drugs where funding has not yet been agreed.   

Multiple

Refer to local guidance.  

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