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Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Formulary
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
Formulary Chapter: 5 - Infections 
Notes:

For full details on UKHSA guidance for managing common infections with local amendments please see:

BLMK Primary Care Antimicrobial Guidelines hosted via: https://blmkantibioticspubliclive.azurewebsites.net/

Secondary care antimicrobial guidelines:

Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trust: Antimicrobial guidelines are hosted on:  EOLAS Medical App. 
05.01.03 Tetracyclines
NICE NG15: Antimicrobial stewardship: systems and processes for effective antimicrobial medicine use

Minocycline

RED
Second Choice

Restricted as second line for oncology patients as part of chemotherapy regimen where intolerant to doxycycline.

DNP For acne, in line with NHS England » Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care: policy guidance

 

Entry checked: July 2025

BNF BNFc SPC

Demeclocycline 150mg
(Capsules)

Amber SPA
Restricted Drug Restricted

For use in SIADH only.

Ensure treatment is initiated and reviewed by a consultant endocrinologist or oncologist.

BNF BNFc SPC

Doxycycline 100mg
(Capsules)

GREEN
Formulary
BNF BNFc SPC

Doxycycline 100mg
(Dispersible tablet)

GREEN
Restricted Drug Restricted
NOTE: much greater cost - only prescribe when standard oral formulation is unsuitable.
BNF BNFc SPC

Lymecycline 408mg
(Capsules)

GREEN
Formulary

For dermatolgy prescribing for acne.

BNF BNFc SPC

Oxytetracycline 250mg
(Tablets)

GREEN
Formulary

Entry reviewed: Dec 2021

BNF BNFc SPC

Doxycycline 100mg/5mL
(Injection)

RED
Restricted Drug Restricted
unlicensedunlicensed

Restricted - Microbiology approval required. Stored in fridge.
N.B. Brand stocked may vary. For Doxyhexal SF dilute to at least 0.5mg/mL:

100mg in 250mL glucose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9% over 1 hour
or
200mg in 500mL glucose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9% over 2 hours

Give via a large vein and take care to avoid extravasation

For Doxycyclin RatioPharm SF: follow guidance on IVGUIDE.
BNF BNFc SPC
05.01.03 Tigecycline
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.