We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.
You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.
To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:
On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.
On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.
Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.
Use beta-blockers with caution in patients with asthma or with a history of obstructive airways disease. Combinations with diltiazem or verapamil (Nitrates, calcium-channel blockers and other antianginal drugs) may produce excessive bradycardia and should only be used under specialist advice.
Beta-blockers (bisoprolol or carvedilol) for stable heart failure are used under specialist advice. Warn patients that heart failure symptoms may worsen for up to 3 days following dose initiation/titration and consider extra diuretic cover for 3 days.
Beta-blockers appear protective if taken for 1 to 2 years following a myocardial infarction (MI); note NICE CG172 ‘Myocardial infarction: cardiac rehabilitation and prevention of further MI’.
Refer to guidance on the use of beta-blockers in hypertension and as secondary prevention post-MI. Bisoprolol is preferred to atenolol due to a reduced incidence of side-effects.
Tablets 1·25mg, 2·5mg, 3·75mg, 5mg, 7·5mg, 10mg
Adjunct in stable heart failure, initially 1·25mg once daily (in the morning) then if tolerated, double the dose at a minimum of two-weekly intervals to 10mg once daily [off-label].
Hypertension, initially 5mg increased to 10mg once daily.
Tablets 25mg, 50mg, 100mg
By mouth,
Hypertension, 50mg daily.
Angina, 25 to 100mg daily, in 1 or 2 doses.
Arrhythmias, 50 to 100mg daily.
Post-myocardial infarction, 25mg initially increasing to 100mg daily.
Oral solution 25mg/5mL
By mouth,
Hypertension, 50mg daily.
Angina, 25 to 100mg daily, in 1 or 2 doses.
Arrhythmias, 50 to 100mg daily.
Post-myocardial infarction, 25mg initially increasing to 100mg daily.
Injection 5mg/10mL
Tablets 3·125mg, 6·25mg, 12·5mg, 25mg
Adjunct in stable heart failure, initially 3·125mg twice daily (with food), dose increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to 6·25mg twice daily, then 12·5mg twice daily, then to 25mg twice daily; increase to highest dose tolerated, maximum 25mg twice daily in patients with severe heart failure or bodyweight less than 85kg and 50mg twice daily in patients over 85kg.
For assuring bradycardia during CT coronary angiography.
Tablets 50mg (Specialist initiation only)
Injection 5mg/5mL (Hospital use only)
Anxiety (Hypnotics and anxiolytics)
Essential tremor (Drugs used in Parkinsonism and related disorders)
Thyrotoxicosis (Thyroiod and antithyroid drugs)
Prophylaxis of migraine (Analgesics)
Tablets 10mg, 40mg
Modified release capsules 80mg, 160mg
Tablets 40mg, 80mg (s)
Initiated only under direct hospital advice for the treatment of arrhythmias.
Injection 100mg/10mL (for specialist use in High Dependency Units only)
Tablets 100mg, 200mg (Specialist initiation only)
Hypertension in pregnancy, refer to guidance (internet access required).
Injection 100mg/20mL (Specialist initiation only)
Hypertension in pregnancy, refer to guidance (internet access required).
TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland