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 Formulary Chapter 13: Skin - 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/

 Details...
13.02.01  Expand sub section  Emollients
 note 

MHRA December 2018:

Emollients: new information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients

Warnings about the risk of severe and fatal burns are being extended to all paraffin-based emollients regardless of paraffin concentration. Data suggest there is also a risk for paraffin-free emollients. Advise patients who use these products not to smoke or go near naked flames, and warn about the easy ignition of clothing, bedding, dressings, and other fabric that have dried residue of an emollient product on them.

Emulsifying Ointment BP
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
500g

NB: fire hazard - see BNF 
 
Epimax ®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
Cream 100g, 500g 
 
Epimax ® ointment
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Ointment

MHRA Drug Safety Update, July 2024: Epimax Ointment and Epimax Paraffin-Free Ointment: reports of ocular surface toxicity and ocular chemical injury

 
Link  MHRA: Epimax Ointment and Epimax Paraffin-Free Ointment: reports of ocular surface toxicity and ocular chemical injury
 
Epimax Oatmeal®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Cream 100g, 500g

 
 
ExCetra®
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Formulary
Green

Liquid paraffin light 105 mg per 1 gram, White soft paraffin 132 mg per 1 gram

Cream 100g, 500g

 
 
Imuderm® emollient
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Formulary
Green

emollient 500g

(Contains urea 5%)

 
 
Isomol gel ®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
100g, 500g 
 
Liquid and White Soft Paraffin Ointment (50:50)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
500g

NB: fire hazard - see BNF 
 
Oilatum®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
Cream 50g, 500g 
 
ZeroAQS® (Emollient preparation)
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Formulary
Green

Cream 500g,

Similar to aqueous cream but contains no sodium lauryl sulfate.

 
 
13.02.01  Expand sub section  Emollients - with antimicrobials
Dermol®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Cream 500g

Lotion 500mL

Also contains antimicrobials

 
 
13.02.01  Expand sub section  Preparations containing urea
Emollient preparation containing Urea 25% (Flexitol®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green Restricted

Heel balm 75g

Specific use only for diabetic patients

 
Link  LSCMMG: Over the Counter Items that Should not be Routinely Prescribed in Primary Care Policy
 
Flexitol® Cream, Hydromol® Intensive
(urea 10%)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Flexitol is lower cost then Hydromol

 
 
13.02.01.01  Expand sub section  Emollient bath and shower preparations
 note  Emollient bath and shower preparations are no longer recommended. Most emollients can be used as a soap substitute.
 ....
 Non Formulary Items
  
Key
note Notes
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
Track Changes
Display tracking information
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
CCG
CCG
Green Low Carbon

Low carbon footprint

Amber Medium Carbon

Medium carbon footprint

Red High carbon footprint

High carbon footprint

Traffic Light Status Information

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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