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 Formulary Chapter 3: Respiratory system - Full Chapter
Notes:

When prescribing inhalers the drug, device (e.g. MDI, Easibreathe, Autohaler, Accuhaler), strength (micrograms per inhalation), number of puffs per dose and frequency MUST be specified

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03.01.01.01  Expand sub section  Selective Beta2 agonists
 note 

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) are, where clinically appropriate, the preferred devices to be used. In COPD combination inhalers should be used wherever possible.

Olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat®)
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Formulary
Green

2.5micrograms/dose solution for inhalation cartridge with device

 
 
03.01.01.01  Expand sub section  Short-acting beta2 agonists
 note 

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) are, where clinically appropriate, the preferred devices to be used. In COPD combination inhalers should be used wherever possible.

Salbutamol
(short acting)
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Red
Injection 500micrograms/1mL
Solution for intravenous infusion 5mg/5mL
 
 
Salbutamol
(short acting)
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Green

Nebuliser solution 2.5mg/2.5mL, 5mg/2.5mL
Metered dose inhaler 100micrograms/inhalation
Easyhaler® 100micrograms inhalation
Easyhaler® 200micrograms inhalation
Ventolin Accuhaler® 200micrograms/inhalation

Airomir 100µg / inhalation

Airomir 100µg  / inhalation Autohaler

 

First choice reliever in fixed dose regimen

 
Link  LSCMMG: Asthma Treatment Guideline for Adults (aged 17 and over)
 
Terbutaline
(Short acting)
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Green
Bricanyl Turbohaler® 500micrograms/inhalation 
 
Salbutamol SR tablets
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Do Not Prescribe
 
 
03.01.01.01  Expand sub section  Long-acting beta2 agonists
 note 

 In patients with asthma long-acting beta2  agonists SHOULD only be prescribed when they are already receiving inhaled corticosteroids, it is therefore recommended that a combination ICS/LABA is considered for patients with asthma to avoid inadvertent monotherapy with a LABA. In patients with COPD long-acting beta2  agonists it is now recommended that they SHOULD only be prescribed with either an inhaled corticosteroid (if asthmatic features present) or a long acting muscarinic antagonist (if no asthmatic features) REF NICE NG 115, GOLD 2023

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) are, where clinically appropriate, the preferred devices to be used. In COPD combination inhalers should be used wherever possible.

Formoterol
(Long acting)
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Green

Oxis 6 Turbohaler® 6micrograms/inhalation
Oxis 12 Turbohaler® 12micrograms/inhalation
Easyhaler® 12 micrograms/metered inhalation
Atimos Modulite® 12 micrograms/metered inhalation

To be used as 1st line LABA when used in combination with ICS for asthma (combination inhalers preferred)

 
 
Salmeterol (Long acting)
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Amber 0

Serevent® metered dose inhaler 25micrograms/inhalation
Serevent Accuhaler® 50micrograms/inhalation

COPD and Asthma

 
 
 ....
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
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 and local commissioning arrangements  

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