{"id":1011,"date":"2014-12-26T10:00:45","date_gmt":"2014-12-26T10:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/?p=1011"},"modified":"2014-12-19T16:53:55","modified_gmt":"2014-12-19T16:53:55","slug":"news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-71","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/spcare\/2014\/12\/26\/news-and-updates-from-www-palliativedrugs-com-71\/","title":{"rendered":"News and updates from www.palliativedrugs.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com<\/a>, the world\u2019s leading palliative care website.<\/p>\n

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Safety alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Naloxone \u2013 Patient Safety Alert
\n<\/strong>NHS England has produced a Patient Safety Alert warning of the risk of distress and death from inappropriate doses of naloxone in patients on long-term opioid treatment (NHS\/PSA\/W\/2014\/016R). The alert highlights that the initial adult dose for the management of opioid-induced respiratory depression or sedation in those receiving palliative care and in chronic opioid use is 100\u2212200microgram (1.5\u22123microgram\/kg) by intravenous injection. This is significantly lower than the initial adult dose of 400microgram IV recommended for acute opioid overdose. This information is already reflected in the PCF Opioid antagonist<\/a> monograph, which also details the use of even lower initial doses (20microgram IV) in these circumstances as recommended by the American Pain Society. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Hot topics<\/strong><\/p>\n

BNF and BNFc Website Has Moved
\n<\/strong>Access to the British National Formulary and British National Formulary for Children websites is now via www.medicinescomplete.com<\/a> where re-registration is required. Access is also available via the NICE NHS evidence website http:\/\/evidence.nhs.uk<\/a>. Further information on access via NHS N3 Gateway and Hinari access users is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Drug updates<\/strong><\/p>\n

Glycopyrronium injection shortage
\n<\/strong>There is a shortage of glycopyrronium injection in the UK. For details of alternative injectable antimuscarinic drugs see the on-line PCF Antimuscarinics<\/a> section and the individual Hyoscine butylbromide<\/a> and hyoscine hydrobromide<\/a> monographs (all updated in April 2014).<\/p>\n

FDA reschedules hydrocodone combination products<\/strong>
\nAll hydrocodone combination products have been rescheduled in the USA to Schedule 2 controlled substances (formerly Schedule 3). For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Updated drug tariff Specials list
\n<\/strong>The following products have been added to the November drug tariff Specials list (part VIIIB \u2013 arrangements for payment for Specials and imported unlicensed medicines):<\/p>\n