The BNF 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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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

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Publication Updates

09 May
British National Formulary for Children logo
BNF FOR CHILDREN MAY 2023 UPDATE

This update contains 3 significant changes, 4 dose changes, 1 new monograph, and 1 deleted monograph.

Significant Changes:
• Pholcodine-containing cough and cold medicines: withdrawal from UK market as a precautionary measure [MHRA/CHM advice] (see advice in Aromatic inhalations, cough preparations and systemic nasal decongestants).
• Smallpox and mpox vaccine: updated guidance for immunisation.
• Smallpox vaccine: title changed to Smallpox and mpox vaccine.

Dose Changes:
• Atazanavir [update to dosing for HIV infection when used with low-dose ritonavir].
• Calcipotriol with betamethasone [update to dosing].
• Migalastat [update to include dosing in children from 12 years old].
• Ritonavir [update to dosing for HIV infection when used to increase the effect of atazanavir].

New Monograph:
Volibris® [ambrisentan].

Deleted Monograph:
Pholcodine.

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

11 Apr
British National Formulary for Children logo
BNF FOR CHILDREN APRIL 2023 UPDATE

This update contains 1 significant change, 3 dose changes, 5 new monographs, and 1 deleted monograph.

Significant Change:
• Metolazone (Xaqua®): exercise caution when switching patients between metolazone preparations [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:
• Cefotaxime [update to dosing for emergency treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease, before urgent transfer to hospital].
• Harvoni® (ledipasvir with sofosbuvir) [update to include dosing in children from 3 years old].
• Sovaldi® (sofosbuvir) [update to include dosing in children from 3 years old].

New Monographs:
• Epclusa® [sofosbuvir with velpatasvir].
• Forxiga® [dapagliflozin].
• Lamzede® [velmanase alfa].
• Nexviadyme® [avalglucosidase alfa].
• Rezurock® [belumosudil].

Deleted Monographs:
• Bleomycin.

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

14 Mar
British National Formulary for Children logo
BNF FOR CHILDREN MARCH 2023

This update contains 1 significant change, 2 dose changes, 2 new monographs, and 1 new preparation.

Significant Changes:
•Genital system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for the management of uncomplicated genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

Dose Change:
•Azithromycin [update to dosing for uncomplicated genital chlamydia in children from 12 years old, and update to include dosing in children from 12 years old for uncomplicated gonorrhoea].
•Ceftriaxone [update to dosing for pelvic inflammatory disease in children from 12 years old, and update to dosing for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and congenital gonococcal conjunctivitis].

New Monographs:
• Tezspire® [tezepelumab].
• Xenpozyme® [olipudase alfa].

New Preparations:
• DuoResp Spiromax® [budesonide with formoterol].

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

14 Feb
British National Formulary for Children logo
BNF for Children February 2023 Update

This update contains 3 significant changes and 1 dose change.

Significant Changes:
• Dupilumab (Dupixent®): risk of ocular adverse reactions and need for prompt management [MHRA/CHM advice].
• Ibuprofen: updated breast-feeding advice.
• Obesity: updated guidance on management.

Dose Change:
Crysvita® (burosumab) [update to children’s dosing].

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

10 Jan
British National Formulary for Children logo
BNF for Children January 2023 Update

This update contains 2 significant changes, 1 dose change, 2 new monographs and 1 new preparation.

Significant Changes:
• Contraceptives, interactions: updated guidance.
• Oropharyngeal infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for the management of acute sore throat.

Dose Changes:
Dupixent® (dupilumab) [update to include dosing in children from 6 years old for severe asthma with type 2 inflammation].

New Monographs:
Drovelis® [drospirenone with estetrol].
Lucentis® [ranibizumab].

New Preparation:
Efmody® [hydrocortisone].

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

06 Dec
British National Formulary for Children logo
BNF for Children December 2022 Update

This update contains 2 significant changes, 3 dose changes, 2 new monographs and 2 new preparations.

Significant Changes:
• Herpesvirus infections: updated guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis.
• Melatonin (Adaflex®, Ceyesto®): new indication for insomnia in patients with ADHD.

Dose Changes:
• Budesonide [update to dosing for intranasal administration for rhinitis and nasal polyps].
• Lacosamide [update to age range for monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of focal seizures with or without secondary generalisation].
• Naloxone hydrochloride [update to neonatal dosing].

New Monographs:
Imcivree® [setmelanotide].
Oxbryta® [voxelotor].

New Preparations:
Actimorph® [morphine].
Dificlir® [fidaxomicin].

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

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