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 Feb

BNFC February 2019 update

This update contains 6 significant change and 1 new preparation.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C (sofosbuvir): risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes [MHRA/CHM advice].
Emollients (see Emollient and barrier preparations): new information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients [MHRA/CHM advice].
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin for untreated acute myeloid leukaemia [NICE guidance].
Hydrocortisone muco-adhesive buccal tablets: should not be used off-label for adrenal insufficiency in children due to serious risks [MHRA/CHM advice].
Smoking cessation: updated guidance.
Valproate medicines (see sodium valproate and valproic acid): are you acting in compliance with the pregnancy prevention measures? [MHRA/CHM advice].

New Preparations: Nplate® [romiplostim]

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

15 Jan

BNFC January 2019 update

This update contains 5 significant change, 1 dose changes and 3 new preparation.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Doxycycline: license extension into children aged 8 to 11 years.
Guidance on prescribing: New Medicines Service and Medicines Use Review service information included, and highlighted in the relevant treatment summaries.
Systemic and inhaled fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin): small increased risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection; advice for prescribing in high-risk patients [MHRA/CHM advice].
Vaccines: updated guidance on the influenza vaccine in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Vaccines: updated guidance on the routine immunisation schedule in-line with Public Health England recommendations.

Dose Changes:

Colistimethate sodium [dosing recommendations for inhalation of nebulised solution and for intravenous use].

New Preparations: Cetraxal Plus® [ciprofloxacin with fluocinolone acetonide], Crysvita® [burosumab], Zebinix® [eslicarbazepine acetate].

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

11 Dec

BNFC December 2018 update

This update contains 1 significant change, 7 dose changes and 1 new preparation.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Lyme disease: updated guidance on management.

Dose Changes:

Amoxicillin [update to indications and doses for Lyme Disease].
Azithromycin [update to indication and doses for Lyme Disease].
Ceftriaxone [update to indications and doses for Lyme Disease].
Clarithromycin [dosing recommendation for Lyme Disease deleted in line with updated guidance].
Doxycycline [update to indications and doses for Lyme Disease].
Erythromycin [dosing recommendation for Lyme Disease deleted in line with updated guidance].
Influenza vaccine [update to indication of annual immunisation against seasonal influenza (for children in clinical risk groups who have not received seasonal influenza vaccine previously)].

New Preparations: Verkazia® eye drops [ciclosporin]

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

13 Nov

BNFC November 2018 update

This update contains 1 significant change and 1 dose change.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Transdermal fentanyl patches: life-threatening and fatal opioid toxicity from accidental exposure, particularly in children [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Levonorgestrel [update to timings of administration of intra-uterine devices and advice on additional contraceptive precautions].

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

08 Oct

BNFC October 2018 update

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

See details

Significant Changes:

Side-effects and their further information sections have been reviewed against the current product literature and terms used to define these have been standardised across all drug monographs for this update.
Dinutuximab beta for treating neuroblastoma [NICE guidance].
Ear, Ear infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance on management of otitis media.
Heavy menstrual bleeding: updated guidance on management.
Nusinersen (Spinraza®): reports of communicating hydrocephalus not related to meningitis or bleeding [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Rufinamide [update to age range for use in children and dosing information for use with valproate].

New Preparations: Qarziba® [dinutuximab beta]; Xgeva® [denosumab] (BNFC only).

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

14 Sep

BNFC September 2018 update

This update contains 5 significant changes, 3 new preparations and 6 dose changes.

See details

Significant Changes:

Darunavir boosted with cobicistat (darunavir with cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide): avoid use in pregnancy due to risk of treatment failure and maternal-to-child transmission of HIV-1 [MHRA/CHM advice].
Eltrombopag (Revolade®): reports of interference with bilirubin and creatinine test results [MHRA/CHM advice].
Parenteral amphotericin B: reminder of risk of potentially fatal adverse reaction if formulations confused [MHRA/CHM advice].
Pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDI): risk of airway obstruction from aspiration of loose objects [MHRA/CHM advice], see Respiratory system, drug delivery.
Venous thromboembolism: updated guidance on prophylaxis.Dose Changes:
Adenosine [dose clarification for neonate and children under 12 years for termination of supraventricular tachycardias and diagnosis of supraventricular arrhythmias].
Anakinra [dosing in severe renal impairment].
Budenofalk® [deletion of dosing information for collagenous colitis and update on advice on reducing dose following treatment in Crohn’s disease].
Hexetidine [update to age-range for use in children].
Hydroxocobalamin [frequency of maintenance dosing for macrocytic anaemia without neurological involvement].
Raltegravir [directions for administration for granules for oral suspension deleted as available packs may contain conflicting advice; see individual packs for instructions for reconstitution].

New Preparations: Sprycel® [dasatinib], Kineret® [anakinra], Ivemend® [fosaprepitant]

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

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