British National Formulary for Children

The British National Formulary for Children is the unrivalled guidance on prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines to children.

BNF for Children is the only child-focused drug formulary in the world that is both independent, and has rigorous, accredited content creation processes. It is trusted by health professionals worldwide as their primary source for minimising medication errors in paediatrics.

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Speed and safety: Provides rapid reference to essential information on the selection of safe and effective medicines for individual patients

Evidence Grading: As part of NICE accreditation recommendations, BNFc content is now evidence graded to reflect the strength of evidence behind them, increasing transparency to support healthcare professionals with clinical decision making

Always up-to-date: The content is revalidated, revised, and updated on a monthly basis, making sure you access only the very latest prescribing knowledge

Worldwide credibility: The BNFc uses clinical evidence from a diverse range of sources and a network of experts, giving you the confidence to select medicines safely

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Publication Updates

14 Jan

BNF For Children January 2020 Update

This update contains 4 significant changes.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Asthma, acute: updated guidance on management.
Asthma, chronic: updated guidance on management.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: updated guidance.
Yellow fever vaccine, live: stronger precautions in people with weakened immunity and in those aged 60 years or older [MHRA/CHM advice].

For further details on changes in the BNFC click on https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnfc/PHP107699?hspl=changes

10 Dec

BNF for Children December 2019 Update

This update contains 5 significant changes, 2 new preparations, and 1 new monograph.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Adrenaline/epinephrine auto-injectors: recent action taken to support safety [MHRA/CHM advice].
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine: updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Lanadelumab for preventing recurrent attacks of hereditary angioedema [NICE guidance].
Respiratory system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for community-acquired pneumonia.
Respiratory system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for hospital-acquired pneumonia.

New Preparations: Takhzyro® [lanadelumab], Zinforo® [ceftaroline fosamil].

New Monographs: Cannabidiol.

For further details on changes in the BNFC click on https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnfc/PHP107699?hspl=changes

12 Nov

BNF for Children November 2019 Update

This update contains 5 significant changes, 1 dose change and 5 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Fingolimod (Gilenya®): increased risk of congenital malformations; new contraindication during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception [MHRA/CHM advice].
Human papillomavirus vaccine updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Immunisation schedule: updated national human papillomavirus immunisation programme in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Montelukast (Singulair®): reminder of the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions [MHRA/CHM advice].
Parenteral nutrition supplements: light protection required to reduce the risk of serious adverse effects in premature neonates [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Human papillomavirus vaccines: Dosing now includes male patients.

New Preparations:
Dupixent® [dupilumab], Gardasil 9® [human papillomavirus vaccines], Nyxoid® [naloxone hydrochloride], Orkambi® granules [lumacaftor with ivacaftor], Vitrakvi® [larotrectinib].

For further details on changes in the BNFC click on https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnfc/PHP107699?hspl=changes

08 Oct

BNFC October 2019 Update

This update contains 3 significant changes.

See details

Significant Changes:

Depression– updated guidance management.
Rotavirus vaccine : updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Ulcerative colitis : updated guidance on management.

For further details on changes in the BNFC click on https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnfc/PHP107699?hspl=changes

10 Sep

BNFC September 2019 Update

This update contains 4 significant changes, 1 dose change and 1 new preparation.

See details

Significant Changes:

Nusinersen for treating spinal muscular atrophy [NICE guidance].
Tocilizumab (RoActemra®): rare risk of serious liver injury including cases requiring transplantation [MHRA/CHM advice].
Typhoid vaccine: updated guidance in line with Public Health England recommendations.
Urinary-tract infections: updated guidance on management.

Dose Changes:

Typhoid vaccine [booster dose added].

New Preparations: Renoxitin^® [cefoxitin].

For further details on changes in the BNFC click on https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnfc/PHP107699?hspl=changes

13 Aug

BNFC August 2019 Update

This update contains 4 significant changes, 1 dose change and 1 new preparation.

See details

Significant Changes:

Contraceptives, hormonal: updated guidance on combined hormonal contraceptives.
Crohn’s disease: updated guidance on management.
Flutiform® 50 microgram/ 5 microgram inhaler (fluticasone with formoterol): age range extension to include children aged 5 to 12 years for the prophylaxis of asthma.
Oral retinoid medicines (acitretin, isotretinoin, and tretinoin): revised and simplified pregnancy prevention educational materials for healthcare professionals and women [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Epipen® preparations (adrenaline/epinephrine) [body-weight ranges for children’s dosing updated]

New Preparations: Gilenya® [fingolimod].

For further details on changes in the BNFC click on https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnfc/PHP107699?hspl=changes

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