British National Formulary (BNF)

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

The BNF is the only 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.

Subscribe Content Updates

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, BNF 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 have access to the very latest prescribing knowledge

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

1,500 +

drugs

290,000 +

users per month

200 +

treatment summaries

45million +

page views

*based on average data in the last 12 months

Related Publications

British National Formulary <i>for Children</i>

British National Formulary for Children

Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference

Stockley’s Drug Interactions

Martindale’s Adverse Drug Reactions Checker

AHFS Drug Information

Publication Updates

12 Nov

BNF November 2019 Update

This update contains 11 significant changes, 2 dose changes and 7 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Benralizumabfor treating severe eosinophilic asthma (updated advice) [NICE guidance].
Fingolimod (Gilenya®): increased risk of congenital malformations; new contraindication during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception [MHRA/CHM advice].
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (conjugated oestrogens (equine) and estradiol): further information on the known increased risk of breast cancer with HRT and its persistence after stopping [MHRA/CHM advice].
Human papillomavirus vaccine updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Hypertension: updated guidance on management of hypertension in pregnancy.
Immunisation schedule: updated national human papillomavirus immunisation programme in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Mitomycin (Mitomycin-C Kyowa® 40 mg): restricted to intravesical administration only for treatment of superficial bladder cancer [MHRA/CHM advice].
Montelukast (Singulair®): reminder of the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions [MHRA/CHM advice].
Pembrolizumab with carboplatin and paclitaxel for untreated metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer [NICE guidance].
Pentosan polysulfatesodium (Elmiron®): rare risk of pigmentary maculopathy [MHRA/CHM advice].
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for treating hyperkalaemia [NICE guidance].

Dose Changes:

Magnesium sulfate: Change to additional dose for seizure recurrence in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
Human papillomavirus vaccines: Dosing now includes male patients.

New Preparations:
Dupixent® [dupilumab], Gardasil 9® [human papillomavirus vaccines], Lorviqua® [lorlatinib], Nyxoid® [naloxone hydrochloride], Talzenna® [talazoparib], Vitrakvi® [larotrectinib], Waylivra® [volanesorsen].

For further details on changes in the BNF click on http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/bnf/current/PHP107699-changes.htm

08 Oct

BNF October 2019 Update

This update contains 16 significant changes, 1 dose change and 5 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes:

Carfilzomib (Kyprolis®): reminder of risk of potentially fatal cardiac events [MHRA/CHM advice].
Cemiplimab for treating metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma [NICE guidance].
Dacomitinib for untreated EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer [NICE guidance].
Dapagliflozin with insulin for treating type 1 diabetes [NICE guidance].
Daratumumab (Darzalex®): risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus [MHRA/CHM advice].
Hyperparathyroidism : New guidance on management of primary hyperparathyroidism.
Naltrexone with bupropion (Mysimba®): risk of adverse reactions that could affect ability to drive [MHRA/CHM advice].
Olaparib for maintenance treatment of BRCA mutation-positive advanced ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer after response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy [NICE guidance].
Patisiran for treating hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis [NICE guidance].
Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®): risk of pigmentary maculopathy [MHRA/CHM advice].
Prostate Cancer : updated guidance on management.
Ribociclib with fulvestrant for treating hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer [NICE guidance].
Risankizumab for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [NICE guidance].
Rotavirus vaccine : updated guidance in-line with Public Health England recommendations.
Ulcerative colitis : updated guidance on management.
Vedolizumab for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis [NICE guidance].

Dose Changes:

Vitamin B substances with ascorbic acid : Duration and route for the treatment of suspected or established Wernicke’s encephalopathy, and prophylaxis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy updated (BNF only).

New Preparations: Dovato® [ lamivudine with dolutegravir ], Emgality® [ galcanezumab ], Libtayo® [ cemiplimab ], Ondexxya® [ andexanet alfa ], Onpattro® [ patisiran ].

For further details on changes in the BNF click on

http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/bnf/current/PHP107699-changes.htm

10 Sep

BNF September 2019 Update

This update contains 11 significant changes, 1 dose change and 3 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes:

Blinatumomab for treating acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in remission with minimal residual disease activity [NICE guidance].
Febuxostat (Adenuric®): increased risk of cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality in clinical trial in patients with a history of major cardiovascular disease [MHRA/CHM advice].
Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant for treating recurrent non-infectious uveitis [NICE guidance].
Letermovir for preventing cytomegalovirus disease after a stem cell transplant [NICE guidance].
Migraine: updated guidance on management.
Nusinersen for treating spinal muscular atrophy [NICE guidance].
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®): reminder that 15 mg and 20 mg tablets should be taken with food [MHRA/CHM advice].
Stroke: updated guidance on management.
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: Imvaggis^® pessary [estriol], Ledaga^® gel [chlormethine], Renoxitin^® [cefoxitin].

For further details on changes in the BNF click on http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/bnf/current/PHP107699-changes.htm

13 Aug

BNF August 2019 Update

This update contains 14 significant changes, 1 dose change and 6 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes:

Atezolizumab in combination for treating metastatic non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer [NICE guidance].
Contraceptives, hormonal: updated guidance on combined hormonal contraceptives.
Crohn’s disease: updated guidance on management.
Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (apixaban, dabigatran etexilate, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban): increased risk of recurrent thrombotic events in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome [MHRA/CHM advice].
Ertugliflozin with metformin and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor for treating type 2 diabetes [NICE guidance].
Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for multiple myeloma after 1 treatment with bortezomib [NICE guidance].
Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for previously untreated multiple myeloma [NICE guidance].
Lenalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma in people who have received at least 2 prior therapies [NICE guidance].
Lenalidomide for treating myelodysplastic syndromes associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality [NICE guidance].
GLP-1 receptor agonists (dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide (Victoza®), lixisenatide, and semaglutide): reports of diabetic ketoacidosis when concomitant insulin was rapidly reduced or discontinued [MHRA/CHM advice].
Ocrelizumab for treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis [NICE guidance].
Olaratumab (Lartruvo®): withdrawal of the EU marketing authorisation due to lack of efficacy [MHRA/CHM advice].
Oral retinoid medicines (acitretin, alitretinoin, bexarotene, isotretinoin, and tretinoin): revised and simplified pregnancy prevention educational materials for healthcare professionals and women [MHRA/CHM advice].
Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: updated guidance on management.

Dose Changes:

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

New Preparations: Ajovy® [fremanezumab], Glyxambi® [empagliflozin with linagliptin], Brinavess® [vernakalant], Vizimpro® [dacomitinib], Betesil® [betamethasone], Blissel® [estriol].

For further details on changes in the BNF click on http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/bnf/current/PHP107699-changes.htm

09 Jul

BNF July 2019 Update

This update contains 9 significant changes, 2 dose changes and 5 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Abemaciclib with fulvestrant for treating hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer after endocrine therapy [NICE guidance].
Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®) and serious cardiovascular and immune-mediated adverse reactions: new restrictions to use and strengthened monitoring requirements [MHRA/CHM advice].
Cerebral palsy and spasticity: inclusion of overview.
Durvalumab for treating locally advanced unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer after platinum-based chemoradiation [NICE guidance].
Enzalutamide for hormone-relapsed non-metastatic prostate cancer [NICE guidance].
Inotersen for treating hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis [NICE guidance].
Magnesium sulfate: risk of skeletal adverse effects in the neonate following prolonged or repeated use in pregnancy [MHRA/CHM advice].
Nivolumab with ipilimumab for untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma [NICE guidance].
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®): restriction of 10 mg twice daily dose in patients at high risk of pulmonary embolism while safety review is ongoing [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Emicizumab [alternative dosing for existing indications added].
Pembrolizumab [alternative dosing for monotherapy indications added].

New Preparations: Cuprior® [trientine dihydrochloride], Jorveza® [budesonide], Lokelma® [sodium zirconium cyclosilicate], Renapime® [cefepime], Skyrizi® [risankizumab].

For further details on changes in the BNF click on http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/bnf/current/PHP107699-changes.htm

11 Jun

BNF June 2019 Update

This update contains 21 significant changes, 1 dose changes and 4 new preparations.

See details

Significant Changes: 

Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®): restriction of use due to serious safety concerns [MHRA/CHM advice].
Belimumab (Benlysta®): increased risk of serious psychiatric events seen in clinical trials [MHRA/CHM advice].
Brentuximab vedotin for treating CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma [NICE guidance].
Certolizumab pegol for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [NICE guidance].
Daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone for previously treated multiple myeloma [NICE guidance].
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).
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 disoproxil).
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.
Pregabalin (Lyrica®) and risk of abuse and dependence: new scheduling requirements from 1 April [MHRA/CHM advice].
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.
Tildrakizumab for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [NICE guidance].
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®): increased risk of pulmonary embolism and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving 10 mg twice daily in a clinical trial [MHRA/CHM advice].
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].
Yellow fever vaccine, live (Stamaril®) and fatal adverse reactions: extreme caution needed in those aged 60 years and older [MHRA/CHM advice].

Dose Changes:

Malarone® (atovaquone with proguanil hydrochloride) [update to weight range for prophylaxis of falciparum malaria].

New Preparations: Delstrigo® [lamivudine with tenofovir disoproxil and doravirine], Intrarosa® [prasterone], Pifeltro® [doravirine], Testavan® [testosterone].

For further details on changes in the BNF click on http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/bnf/current/PHP107699-changes.htm

View more View all content updates