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Demonstration Formulary
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 Formulary Chapter 1: Gastro-intestinal system - Full Chapter
01.06  Expand sub section  Laxatives
 note 

See NICE CKS Constipation in aduls at http://cks.nice.org.uk/constipation.

See NICE CKS Constipation in children at http://cks.nice.org.uk/constipation-in-children 

See NICE CKS Constipation in palliative care at https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/palliative-care-constipation/

Sodium Picosulfate
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Formulary
Amber Recommended
 
 
Arachis Oil
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Lactulose
(Solution)
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Formulary
Green
 
 
Macrogol 3350 with anhydrous sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and sodium chloride
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Macrogol 3350 with anhydrous sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Macrogol 3350 with potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Magnesium citrate with sodium picosulfate
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Phosphates (rectal)
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Formulary
Green
 
 
Sodium acid phosphate with sodium phosphate
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Formulary
Red
 
 
01.06.01  Expand sub section  Bulk-forming laxatives
Ispaghula Husk
(Granules)
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Formulary
Green

Follow Optimise Rx recommendation on which brand to choose

Adequate fluid intake is important to prevent obstruction (6-8 cups per day) and should not be taken immediatley before bed

Unsuitable for frail patients who are likely to drink less than daily required volume of fluid

Fluid thickens on standing so should be taken as soon as possible after mixing

Time to effect is approximately 48-72 hours

 
 
01.06.02  Expand sub section  Stimulant laxatives
Senna
(Tablets, Syrup)
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Formulary
Green

Tablets 7.5mg, Syrup 7.5mg/5ml

Syrup is currently more cost effective than tablets

Time to effect approximately 8 to 12 hours

 
 
Docusate Sodium
(Capsules, Liquid)
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Formulary
Green

Capsules 100mg, Liquid 50mg/5ml

Solution is utterly unpalatable- only fit for use down tubes

Probably acts as a softening laxative as well as a stimulant

Time to effect is approximately 24 to 48 hours

 
 
Glycerol (Glycerin) Suppositories
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Formulary
Green
 
 
Bisacodyl
(Tablets, Suppositories)
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Formulary
Green

5mg E/C tablets

10mg Suppository

 
 
Co-danthramer
(Capsules)
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Formulary
Amber Recommended

Capsules 25/200, 75/1000

Co-danthramer strong preferred as per palliative care formulary guidance

 

 
 
Co-danthrusate
(Capsules)
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Formulary
Amber Recommended

Capsules 50/60

 

 
 
Danthron
(Capsules)
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Formulary
Amber Recommended
 
 
01.06.02  Expand sub section  Other Stimulant laxatives
01.06.03  Expand sub section  Faecal softeners to top
01.06.04  Expand sub section  Osmotic laxatives
Sodium Citrate
(Rectal enema)
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Formulary
Green

Micro-enema

Microlette®, Relaxit® and Micralax®

 
 
Macrogols  (Laxido®)
(Oral powder)
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Formulary
Green

Follow Optimise Rx recommendation on the most cost effective brand to prescribe

Prescribe as Laxido

 
 
Phosphate enema
(Rectal enema)
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Formulary
Green

Fletchers phosphate enema®

Fleet ready to use enema®

 
 
01.06.05  Expand sub section  Bowel cleansing preparations
Fleet Phospho-soda®
(Oral solution)
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Restricted Drug Restricted
Red

For use in hospital prior to bowel procedures

 
 
Macrogols (Klean-Prep®)
(Oral powder)
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Macrogols (Moviprep®)
(Oral powder sachet)
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Formulary
Red
 
 
Picolax®
(Oral powder)
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Formulary
Red
 
 
01.06.06  Expand sub section  Peripheral opiod-receptor antagonist
Naldemedine (Rizmoic®)
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Formulary
Amber Recommended
ICB

For treating opioid-induced constipation in line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA6451: Naldemedine for treating opioid-induced constipation
 
Naloxegol (Moventig®)
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Formulary
Amber Recommended

£££££

For treating opioid-induced constipation in line with NICE

 
Link  NICE TA345: Naloxegol for treating opioid‑induced constipation
 
01.06.07  Expand sub section  Other drugs used in constipation
LinaclotideBlack Triangle (Constella®)
(Capsule)
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Formulary
Amber Recommended

For moderate to severe IBS-Constipation

For patients who have not responded adequately to or cannot tolerate all other suitable treatment options BUT BEFORE other agents with higher costs

Supported by a RICaD (in development)

 
 
Prucalopride (Resolor ®)
(Tablets)
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Formulary
Amber Initiation

 For use in men and women for chronic constipation

 Supported by a RICaD (in development)

 
Link  NICE TA211: Prucalopride for the treatment of chronic constipation in women
 
01.06.08  Expand sub section  Other preparations for bowel obstruction to top
 ....
 Non Formulary Items
Bowel Cleansing Solutions  (Citramag®)

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Non Formulary
Citrafleet®

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Non Formulary
Citric acid with magnesium carbonate

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Non Formulary
Black
Docusate Sodium  (Norgalax® Micro-enema)

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Non Formulary
Liquid Paraffin

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Non Formulary
Black
Lubiprostone Black Triangle  (Amitiza®)
(Capsules)

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Non Formulary
Black

Manufacturer has now discontinued the product

Macrogol  (Movicol®)
(Liquid)

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Non Formulary
Macrogol 3350

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Non Formulary
Black
Magnesium Hydroxide Mixture BP

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Non Formulary
Black
Magnesium sulfate

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Non Formulary
Black

Treatment of Hypomagnesemia only

 

Methycellulose

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Non Formulary
Black
Methylnaltrexone  (Relistor®)

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Non Formulary
Black
Phosphates (Oral)  (Diafalk®)

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Non Formulary
Phosphates (Oral)  (OsmoPrep®)

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Non Formulary
Senna  (Manevac®)

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Non Formulary
Senna  (Senokot®) (Granules)

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Non Formulary
Senna with ispaghula husk

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Non Formulary
Black
Sodium acid phosphate with sodium bicarbonate

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Non Formulary
Black
Sodium hydrogen carbonate / sodium dihydrogen phosphate  (Lecicarbon A®)

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Non Formulary
Sodium Picosulfate  (Dulco-lax®)

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Non Formulary
Black
Sterculia  (Normacol®, Normacol Plus®)

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Non Formulary
Black
Sterculia with frangula

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Non Formulary
Black
  
Key
Restricted Drug Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to adult BNF
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Link to children's BNF
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Link to SPCs
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
Cancer Drugs Fund
Cancer Drugs Fund
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
ICB
ICB
Green Low Carbon

Low carbon footprint

Amber Medium Carbon

Medium carbon footprint

Red High carbon footprint

High carbon footprint

Status Description

Green

Medicines which are suitable for initiation and maintenance prescribing by primary and secondary care clinicians. These medicines should be initiated and prescribed within their licensed indications  

Amber Initiation

Amber Specialist Initiation: Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by Specialists and transfer to Primary Care prescribing when appropriate. This may be supported by a RICaD, annotated within the formulary entry.  

Amber SC

Amber Shared Care: Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by Specialists and transfer to Primary Care prescribing, in accordance with an ESCA, annotated within the formulary entry.  

Amber Recommended

Amber Specialist Recommendation: Initiation and maintenance of prescribing in Primary Care following recommendation from a specialist.  

Red

Medicines for initiation and maintenance prescribing by Specialists (hospital or GPs with Special Interest) only  

Grey

Positive NICE TA and /or awaiting local clarification on place in therapy; Please contact your Medicines Optimisation team for more information.  

Black

Non-formulary Medicines which APC/Trust DTC has actively reviewed and do not recommend for use.  

Multiple

Check Notes as varies across the area  

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