BNF for Children 2013-2014

July 23, 2013 at 1:38 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Other |

The British National Formulary for Children 2013-2014 has been updated, published and made available online.

Hard copies can be ordered from the publishers however many NHS clinicians should receive a free hard copy through usual channels and can also access the online version.

Significant changes in this revision include:

Changes to the criteria that define paracetamol overdose included in Emergency Treatment of Poisoning
Advice on prescribing adrenaline auto-injectors for anaphylaxis by brand name only to ensure patients and carers receive the device they have been trained to use
Revised drug treatment of septicaemia in neonates to take account of the NICE guideline Antibiotics for Early-onset Neonatal Infection (August 2012)
NICE guidance on when to prescribe tobramycin by dry powder inhalation for pseudomonal lung infection in cystic fibrosis
Updated doses of rifampicin and ethambutol in the standard regimen for the treatment of tuberculosis
MHRA/CHM advice on prescribing oral tacrolimus products by brand name only to minimise the risk of inadvertent switching between products
Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule
Prevention of pertussis - contacts requiring antibacterial prophylaxis
Driving guidance for patients with diabetes

Action: BNFC is the primary source of prescribing information when prescribing to all children up to the age of 18 years.