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Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Formulary
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
Formulary Chapter: 13 - Skin 
Notes:

Any drug not listed on the Formulary should be considered Non-Formulary - Not recommended for prescribing
Links:
British Association of Dermatology (BAD) recommended list of ’specials’ 2018
13.09 Shampoos and other preparations for scalp and hair conditions

Benzalkonium Chloride shampoo (Dermax®)

SELF
Formulary

Treatment for dry, scaly scalp conditions such as seborrhoeic eczema / seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Once a diagnosis of seborrhoeic dermatitis has been established many people will be able to manage the condition without routine follow up.

Entry reviewed July 2025

BNF BNFc SPC

Coal tar shampoos

SELF
Formulary

Self-care for psoriasis maintenance, seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff where ongoing medical review is not required.

Counsel patients on the need to be reviewed if treatment response is poor, if symptoms worsen or if there are signs of infection.

Note: do not use coal tar shampoos alone for treating severe scalp psoriasis.

Brands include:

Capasal, Psoriderm (No age range specified)

Polytar (Not recommended for children under 12 years)

Alphosyl 2 in 1 (Caution for children under 12 years-see SPC)

Neutrogena T/Gel (Not recommended for children under 12 years) Discontinued.

 

Entry reviewed: July 2025

BNF BNFc SPC
Self care and over the counter items

Ketoconazole 2% shampoo

SELF
Formulary

2% Shampoo

Can be purchased OTC - self-care in primary care

Brands include Nizoral and Dandrazol

Once a diagnosis of seborrhoeic dermatitis has been established many people will be able to manage the condition without routine follow up.

Entry reviewed July 2025

BNF BNFc SPC
Non formulary items

Shampoos (Betadine®)

 
Non Formulary
BNF BNFc SPC

Shampoos (Ceanel Concentrate®)

 
Non Formulary

https://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/news/ceanel-shampoo-availability-update 

Unavailable indefinitely

BNF BNFc SPC
13.09 Hirsutism
13.09 Androgenetic alopecia
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.