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

12 Nov

BNF for Children November 2019 Update

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

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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

09 Jul

BNFC July 2019 Update

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

See details

Significant Changes: 

Magnesium sulfate: risk of skeletal adverse effects in the neonate following prolonged or repeated use in pregnancy [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Emicizumab [alternative dosing for existing indications added].
Iloprost [expression of rate of intravenous infusion updated; dosing recommendation unchanged].

New Preparations: Cuprior® [trientine dihydrochloride], Renapime® [cefepime].

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

11 Jun

BNFC June 2019 Update

This update contains 11 significant changes, 2 dose changes and 2 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Elvitegravir boosted with cobicistat: avoid use in pregnancy due to risk of treatment failure and maternal-to-child transmission of HIV-1 [MHRA/CHM advice] (see elvitegravir with cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide).
Gabapentin (Neurontin®) and risk of abuse and dependence: new scheduling requirements from 1 April [MHRA/CHM advice].
Immunisation schedule: updated National flu immunisation programme in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Influenza vaccine: updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Malaria, prophylaxis: updated country recommendations in the Recommended regimens for prophylaxis against malaria in-line with Public Health England.
Malaria, prophylaxis: updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Quinolones: new MHRA/CHM advice on restrictions and precautions for use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Renal and ureteric stones: new guidance on management.
Respiratory system infections, antibacterial therapy: new guidance on management of Cough, acute.
Valproate medicines and serious harms in pregnancy: new Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form and clinical guidance from professional bodies to support compliance with the Pregnancy Prevention Programme [MHRA/CHM advice] (see sodium valproate and valproic acid).
Yellow fever vaccine, live (Stamaril®) and fatal adverse reactions: extreme caution needed in people who may be immunosuppressed [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Caffeine citrate [maintenance dosing].
Malarone® Paediatric (atovaquone with proguanil hydrochloride) [update to weight ranges for prophylaxis of falciparum malaria].

New Preparations: Nucala® [mepolizumab], Slenyto ® [melatonin].

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

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