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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. 
05.01.07 Some other antibacterials
NICE NG15: Antimicrobial stewardship: systems and processes for effective antimicrobial medicine use
05.01.07 Chloramphenicol
05.01.07 Fusidic acid
05.01.07 Vancomycin and teicoplanin
NICE NG15: Antimicrobial stewardship: systems and processes for effective antimicrobial medicine use

Vancomycin 500mg & 1g
(Injection)

RED
Formulary

Vancomycin capsules should be used as first line treatment of C.difficile for all adult patients where oral administration is appropriate

There are some situations where the IV formulation can be administered via the enteral route:

-          Administration via enteral feeding tubes (unlicensed)

-          Patient with swallowing difficulties (unable to swallow capsules but able to swallow liquids)

 

Refer to CG619T Antimicrobial Guidelines for Treatment of Common Infections for further information.

Guidelines are also available in the following app: Eolas Medical

You will need to create an account for access.

Updated: January 2026



BNF BNFc SPC

Vancomycin oral
(Capsules)

GREEN
Restricted Drug Restricted

Capsules 125mg , 250mg

Capsules can be used to treat C. difficile in patients being discharged from hospital, or in Primary Care in line with the BLMK Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines.

Vancomycin capsules should be used as first line treatment of C.difficile for all adult patients where oral administration is appropriate

There are some situations where the IV formulation can be administered via the enteral route:

-          Administration via enteral feeding tubes (unlicensed)

-          Patient with swallowing difficulties (unable to swallow capsules but able to swallow liquids)

Monitor blood levels if appropriate.

at following concern about the availability of oral vancomycin in primary care was raised at the Antimicrobial steering group, an agreement is now in place to ensure the following pharmacies will hold at least 28 x 125mg vancomycin capsules in stock at all times.

  • Milton Keynes – Jardines, Brooklands Medical Centre, Montague Cres, Milton Keynes MK10 7LN, 01908 392950
  • Bedford – Janssens Pharmacy, 28 Ampthill Rd, Bedford MK42 9HG, 01234 353484
  • Luton – Denbigh Pharmacy, 60 Denbigh Rd, Luton LU3 1NR, 01582 571457
  • Luton – Westbourne Pharmacy, 198B Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JJ, 01582 419432
  • Central Bedfordshire – Cheeseman’s Pharmacy - 3-5 Church St, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2PJ, 01525 402173
  • Central Bedfordshire - The Saxon Centre, 5 Kingsfield Rd, Biggleswade SG18 8AT, 01767 313092

 

Entry reviewed: January 2026

BNF BNFc SPC

Teicoplanin 200mg & 400mg
(Injection)

RED
Restricted Drug Restricted

Refer to CG619T Antimicrobial Guidelines for Treatment of Common Infections for further information.

Guidelines are also available in the following app: Eolas Medical

You will need to create an account for access.

Updated: May 2025

 

BNF BNFc SPC
05.01.07 Daptomycin
05.01.07 Linezolid
05.01.07 Quinupristin and dalfopristin
05.01.07 Polymyxins
05.01.07 Rifaximin
05.01.07 Fidaxomicin
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.