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Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Formulary
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
Formulary Chapter: 2 - Cardiovascular system 
Notes:

Any drug not listed on the Formulary should be considered Non-Formulary - Not recommended for prescribing
Links:
Hypertension Resources For Health Professionals NICE guideline NG136 Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management
02.12 Lipid-regulating drugs
02.12 Bile acid sequestrants
02.12 Ezetimibe
02.12 Fibrates
02.12 Statins
02.12 Nicotinic acid group
02.12 Omega-3 fatty acid compounds

Icosapent ethyl (Vazkepa®)
(998 mg soft capsules)

GREEN
Formulary

Local prescribing guidance available (see below) 

Restricted for use in line with the below NICE TA:

 

 

Entry reviewed: September 2022

BNF BNFc SPC
BLMK ICB: Icosapent ethyl prescribing guidance NICE TA805: Icosapent ethyl with statin therapy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in people with raised triglycerides

Omega 3 acid ethyl esters (Omacor®)

Amber SPA
Restricted Drug Restricted
  • Criteria for use: Restricted use as an option for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridaemia, for the prevention of acute pancreatitis, if triglyceride (TG) levels are ≥ 10mmol/L despite addressing secondary causes, uptake of lifestyle changes and pharmacological therapy (on maximum tolerated statin and fibrate).
  • Approval subject to audit across all three BLMK Lipid Clinics with 12 month review. (A longer period of time may be necessary depending on patient numbers)

 

Non Formulary for all other indications - not recommended for prescribing as per NHS England » Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care: policy guidance

 

Entry checked: July 2025

BNF BNFc SPC
MHRA DSU JAN 2024: Omega-3-acid ethyl ester medicines (Omacor/Teromeg 1000mg capsules): dose-dependent increased risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with established cardiovascular diseases or cardiovascular risk factors
Classifications
GREEN
May be initiated in any care setting
Amber SPA
Specialist to advise therapy and provide first 28 days supply, continuation in Primary Care
Amber SPIS
Specialist to initiate and stabilise medicine prior to continuation in Primary Care
SCG
To be prescribed as per Shared Care Guidance. If no SCG in place status reverts to red.
RED
Red medicines are designated as specialist only medicines which should only be prescribed by a specialist, usually within secondary care (either due to the requirement for specialist knowledge, long-term monitoring requirements, or restrictions that mean medicine supplies are only available to hospitals).
DNP
A decision has been made either locally and/or nationally not to routinely commission this preparation. Do not prescribe.
SELF
To be purchased over the counter. May be prescribed for chronic, long term conditions or on admission to hospital if essential.