Warning

Preferred list (P)

MESALAZINE 

  • Please prescribe by brand name
  • Salofalk® (tablets/granules) are the preferred brand for new patients. Where Salofalk® is unsuitable Octasa® and Pentasa® are alternatives.

  • Patients currently prescribed Asacol® MR tablets should be switched to equivalent dose Octasa® MR tablets where possible.

Total list (T)

SULFASALAZINE

Prescribing Notes:

  • Aminosalicylates can cause blood disorders; patients should report any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise occurring during therapy. A blood count should be performed and the drug stopped immediately if a blood dyscrasia is suspected. There are case reports of interstitial nephritis with mesalazine. Avoid aminosalicylates in patients allergic to aspirin, and those with renal failure. 

Preferred list (P)

MESALAZINE suppositories 250mg/500mg (Asacol®

  • Product discontinued – replacement expected in due course.

Total list (T)

MESALAZINE foam enema (Asacol®

  • Product discontinued – replacement expected in due course.

MESALAZINE suppositories 1g (Salofalk®

Prescribing Notes:

  • Preparation choice is determined by disease extent. In general, suppositories are preferred for proctitis, enemas for left sided/extensive colitis (in combination with systemic treatment).

Preferred list (P)

PREDNISOLONE standard tablets

Specialist initiation (S1)

BUDESONIDE 3mg capsules / 9mg granules (Budenofalk®)

  • Indication: Crohn’s Disease - affecting the ileum and/or the ascending colon.

BUDESONIDE 9mg sustained-release tablets (Cortiment®)

  • Indication: Ulcerative Colitis - with active left-sided disease and/or proctosigmoiditis who are not suitable for oral prednisolone, as an alternative to budesonide rectal formulations or off-label oral budesonide. SMC advice October 2016

Preferred list (P)

BUDESONIDE 2mg rectal foam (Budenofalk®)

Specialist initiation (S1)

AZATHIOPRINE tablets

  • Azathioprine is used on specialist advice in selected patients with steroid dependent inflammatory bowel disease as a steroid sparing agent. Use in accordance with a shared care protocol.

MERCAPTOPURINE 50mg tablets

  • Mercaptopurine tablets for inflammatory bowel disease (unlicensed indication) require specialist initiation. Use in accordance with a shared care protocol.

To indicate the category of a formulary medicine, updated sections adopt the following key:

Preferred list (P): First-line formulary choices.

Total list (T): Alternative choices when preferred list options not effective/not tolerated, or not indicated.

Specialist initiation (S1): Specialist initiation, or on the advice of a Consultant or Specialist Practitioner in this therapeutic area. Continuation in primary care is acceptable.

Specialist use only (S2): Supply via hospital, Homecare Service or a hospital based prescription (HBP) for dispensing by community pharmacy. Not prescribed in primary care setting.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2022

Next review date: 31/01/2025

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.