Anti–Infective Skin Preparations

NHSL Medicines Guidance
NHS Lanarkshire

General Notes

Please refer to the NHSL Adult Antimicrobial Guidelines:

Antibacterial Preparations

Preferred list (P)

FUSIDIC ACID 2% cream

  • There is a high risk of fusidic acid resistance. Short term use during bacterial skin infection only.

Total list (T)

SILVER SULFADIAZINE 1% cream

MUPIROCIN 2% cream/ointment

  • Restriction: for use in resistant infections only.

METRONIDAZOLE 0.75% gel (Anabact®)

  • For malodorous fungating tumours and malodorous gravitational and decubitus ulcers.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 1% cream (Crystacide®)

Antifungal Preparations

Preferred list (P)

CLOTRIMAZOLE 1% cream

Total list (T)

MICONAZOLE 2% cream

TERBINAFINE 1% cream

Parasiticidal Preparations: Scabies / Crab Lice

Preferred list (P)

MALATHION 0.5% liquid

Total list (T)

PERMETHRIN 5% cream

Parasiticidal Preparations: Head Lice

Preferred list (P)

DIMETICONE 4% lotion

Total list (T)

MALATHION 0.5% liquid

Antiviral Preparations

Preferred list (P)

ACICLOVIR 5% cream

NHSL Joint Adult Formulary Key

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.