University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Chapters

Status Drug name NICE TAs Comments
Status: Amber Acetazolamide

Intercranial hypertension (unlicensed indication)

Status: Green Amiloride solution

Caution with ACE inhibitors. A weak diuretic.

Status: Green Amiloride tablets

Caution with ACE inhibitors. A weak diuretic.

Status: Green Bendroflumethiazide tablets

2.5mg dose (higher doses not indicated in hypertension). Most patients do not develop hypokalaemia. Suggest check potassium level one month after initiation and annually thereafter (MeReC 10/94)

Status: Green Bumetanide tablets

Monitor potassium level. Indicated in pulmonary oedema. Need large doses in renal failure

Status: Green Chlortalidone tablets
Status: Green Co-amilofruse tablets

Combination products should be avoided, unless compliance is an issue

Status: Amber Eplerenone tablets
Status: Green Finerenone (Kerendia®)

Prescribing to be in line with the prescribing support document.

Status: Green Furosemide injection

Monitor potassium level. Indicated in pulmonary oedema. Need large doses in renal failure

Status: Green Furosemide oral solution

Monitor potassium level. Indicated in pulmonary oedema. Need large doses in renal failure

Status: Green Furosemide tablets

Monitor potassium level. Indicated in pulmonary oedema. Need large doses in renal failure

Status: Green Indapamide tablets

2.5mg tablets only

Status: Red Mannitol infusion

Hospital only

Status: Amber Metolazone

Specialist recommendation (unlicensed).

There is now a UK licensed metolazone 5mg tablet available (Xaqua®). There are significant differences in bioavailability between Xaqua® and alternative unlicensed imported metolazone preparations.

Xaqua® tablets have up to approximately twice the bioavailability of other metolazone preparations.

If switching from another metolazone product to Xaqua® tablets or vice versa, a dose adjustment may be necessary, and individualised titration based on patient's response and tolerability is advised.

More information available from Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS). We are awaiting guidance on switching to the licensed product – in the mean time please ensure that the patients are not inadvertently switched between products.

Status: Green Spironolactone tablets

Retains potassium. Useful in liver cirrhosis and congestive heart failure with loop diuretic. Monitor potassium levels carefully.

Status: Red Spironolactone tablets#Red

Acne vulgaris in women that warrants treatment with antibiotics (off-label indication)

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