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 Formulary Chapter 8: Malignant disease and immunosuppression - Full Chapter
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08.02.04  Expand sub section  Other immunomodulating drugs
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Interferon Alfa
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Interferon beta
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Interferon gamma
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Aldesleukin to top
08.02.04  Expand sub section  BCG bladder instillation
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Canakinumab
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Dimethyl fumarate
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Fingolimod
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Glatiramer acetate to top
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Histamine
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Lenalidomide, pomalidomide, and thalidomide
Lenalidomide
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Formulary
Red
NHS England
  • Approved for multiple myeloma in line with NICE - approved for myelodysplastic syndrome with 5q deletion in line with NICE. 
  • Approved in combination with dexamethasone for previously untreated multiple myeloma in line with NICE 
  • Approved in combination with dexamethasone for multiple myeloma after one treatment with bortezomib
  • Approved for maintenance treatment after an autologous stem cell transplant for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in adults in line with NICE
  • Approved with rituximab for previously treated follicular lymphoma (grade 1 to 3A) in adults in line with NICE

 



 
Link  Letter sent to healthcare professionals (Nov 2016): lenalidomide (Revlimid▼): new advice about viral reactivation
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (Feb 2011): Lenalidomide: risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (Jan 2013): Lenalidomide (Revlimid): risk of serious hepatic adverse drug reactions
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (May 2020): Immunomodulatory drugs and pregnancy prevention: temporary advice for management during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (Nov 2011): Lenalidomide (Revlimid▼): update on risk of second primary malignancy
Link  NICE TA171: Lenalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma in people who have received at least 2 prior therapies
Link  NICE TA27: Lenalidomide with rituximab for previously treated follicular lymphoma
Link  NICE TA322: Lenalidomide for treating myelodysplastic syndromes associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality
Link  NICE TA586: Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for multiple myeloma after 1 treatment with bortezomib
Link  NICE TA587: Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for previously untreated multiple myeloma
Link  NICE TA680: Lenalidomide maintenance treatment after an autologous stem cell transplant for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
 
Pomalidomide (Imnovid®)
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Formulary
Red
High Cost Medicine
  • For the treatment of multiple myeloma previously treated with lenalidomide and bortezomib in line with NICE and NHS Commissioning Policy
 
Link  NICE TA427: Pomalidomide for multiple myeloma previously treated with lenalidomide and bortezomib
 
Thalidomide
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Formulary
Red
  • Approved in combination with an alkylating agent and a corticosteroid for the first-line treatment of multiple myeloma in line with NICE. 
  • Approved for the treatment of bleeding from bowel angiodysplasia in patients with an inherited/acquired bleeding disorder on specialist advice only.
  • Approved for the treatment of severe epistaxis as a result of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) who have failed all other treatments.
 
Link  Letter sent to healthcare professionals in June 2016: Thalidomide Celgene®: New important advice regarding viral reactivation and pulmonary hypertension
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (December 2015): Thalidomide: reduced starting dose in patients older than age 75 years
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (July 2011): Thalidomide: risk of arterial and venous thromboembolism
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (May 2013): Thalidomide: risk of second primary malignancies
Link  MHRA Drug Safety Update (May 2020): Immunomodulatory drugs and pregnancy prevention: temporary advice for management during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Link  NICE TA228: Bortezomib and thalidomide for the first‑line treatment of multiple myeloma
 
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Mifamurtide
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Natalizumab
08.02.04  Expand sub section  Teriflunomide to top
 ....
Key
note Notes
Section Title Section Title (top level)
Section Title Section Title (sub level)
First Choice Item First Choice item
Non Formulary Item Non Formulary section
Restricted Drug
Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug
Unlicensed
Track Changes
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Link to adult BNF
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Link to children's BNF
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Link to SPCs
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
CCG
CCG

Traffic Light Status Information

Status Description

Red

Drugs for hospital use only. The responsibility for initiation and monitoring treatment should rest with an appropriate hospital clinician and the drug should be supplied through the hospital throughout the duration of treatment. In some very exceptional circumstances (e.g. due to distance from the hospital, storage, supply or mobility/transport problems) it may be appropriate for the GP to be asked to prescribe a Red drug. This should be negotiated on an individual patient basis and should only be done with the GP’s prior informed agreement where the roles of the GP and hospital services are clearly defined and agreed. The GP should not feel under pressure to prescribe in these circumstances. For all RED drugs automatically added to the formulary in response to a positive NICE TA: Prescribers need to ensure that local Trust new drug governance procedures and pharmacy processes are followed before any prescribing.  

Amber

Drugs initiated by hospital specialist, but where continuing treatment by GPs may be appropriate under a shared care arrangement. The specialist should send the GP a copy of the shared care agreement to sign. The GP should sign the shared care agreement, or indicate they do not want to be part of such an agreement, and return a copy back to the specialist. Shared care guidelines are available or are being developed for most of the drugs listed as Amber. If no shared care guideline is available, the hospital specialist should provide the patient’s GP with sufficient information and support to allow treatment to be continued and managed safely in primary care.  

Green plus

Drugs normally recommended or initiated by a specialist (hospital or GP with an extended role https://www.rcgp.org.uk/gpwer), but can be safely maintained in primary care with very little or no monitoring required. In some cases there may be a further restriction for use outlined - these will be defined in each case. Provision of additional information, or an information leaflet, may be appropriate in some cases to facilitate continuing treatment by GPs.  

Green

Drugs where prescribing by GPs is appropriate. Can be initiated and prescribed in all care settings, and if appropriate, discontinued without recourse to secondary care.  

Black

NOT APPROVED: Drugs that have been considered by NTAG or the NENC ICB Medicines Subcommittee (or other approved body) and are not approved for prescribing within the North East and North Cumbria.   

Brown

UNDER REVIEW: drugs whose current formulary status or RAG status is currently under review.  

Not Recomended

NOT REVIEWED: Drugs that haven not been reviewed yet. This usually means that an application is in progress. These drugs are not normally considered appropriate for prescribing in the North East and North Cumbria until such time that a decision is taken on their formulary status.  

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