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 Formulary Chapter 4: Central nervous system - Full Chapter
04.07.04.02  Expand sub section  Prophylaxis of migraine
Amitriptyline
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Formulary
Green

Tablets 10mg, 25mg, 50mg
Liquid 25mg/5mL
Sugar Free oral solution 50mg/5mL

 
 
AtogepantBlack Triangle (Aquipta®)
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Amber 0

Tablets 10mg, 60mg

 
Link  NICE TA973: Atogepant for preventing migraine
 
Botulinum Toxin Type A (botox®)
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Formulary
Red
BlueTeq

Powder for solution for injection

 Specialist use only

 
Link  NICE TA260: Botulinum toxin type A for the prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine
 
EptinezumabBlack Triangle (Vyepti®)
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Formulary
Red
CCG
BlueTeq

Concentrate for solution for infusion 100mg/1mL

 
Link  NICE TA871: Eptinezumab for preventing migraine
 
ErenumabBlack Triangle (Aimovig®)
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Formulary
Red
CCG
BlueTeq

Pre-filled syringe 70mg, 140mg

Pre-filled pen 70mg, 140mg

 
Link  NICE TA682: Erenumab for preventing migraine
 
FremanezumabBlack Triangle (Ajovy®)
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Formulary
Red
CCG
BlueTeq

Pre-filled pens/ pre-filled syringes 225mg/1.5ml solution for injection  

 
Link  NICE TA764: Fremanezumab for preventing migraine
 
Galcanezumab Black Triangle (Emgality® )
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Red
CCG
BlueTeq

Solution for injection pre-filled pens  120mg/1ml

Red For NICE TA659: Galcanezumab for preventing migraine

 
Link  NICE TA659: Galcanezumab for preventing migraine
 
Pizotifen
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Green

Tablets 500micrograms, 1.5mg

 
 
Propranolol
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Formulary
Green

Tablets 10mg, 40mg, 80mg
M/R capsules 80mg, 160mg

Prophylaxis of migraine.

 
Link  HSSIB: Potential under-recognised risk of harm from the use of propranolol
 
RimegepantBlack Triangle (Vydura)
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Amber 0
CCG

Oral lyophilisate 75mg

 Prophylaxis of migraine (in patients who have at least 4 migraine days per month)

** North-West Pathway for Headache being developed **

 
Link  NICE TA906: Rimegepant for preventing migraine
Link  NICE TA919: Rimegepant for treating migraine
 
Topiramate
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Formulary
Green

Tablets 25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 200mg

Migraine Prophylaxis.

Topiramate is now contraindicated in pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential unless the conditions of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme are fulfilled. This follows a review by the MHRA which concluded that the use of topiramate during pregnancy is associated with significant harm to the unborn child. Harms included a higher risk of congenital malformation, low birth weight and a potential increased risk of intellectual disability, autistic spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children of mothers taking topiramate during pregnancy.

 

 
Link  MHRA: Topiramate (Topamax): introduction of new safety measures, including a Pregnancy Prevention Programme
Link  MHRA: Topiramate (Topamax): start of safety review triggered by a study reporting an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children with prenatal exposure
 
Zonisamide
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Amber 0

Capsules, 25mg. 50mg, 100mg

Approved for use in patients when prior prophylactic treatments have failed and erenumab, galcanezumab and fremanezumab are being considered.

unlicensed Unlicensed indication.

 
Link  MHRA: Antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy: updated advice following comprehensive safety review
Link  MHRA: Antiepileptics: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour
 
Flunarizine
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Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
Red

Capsules 5mg

Specialist consultant use only

 
 
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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
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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
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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