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Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Formulary
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
Formulary Chapter: 1 - Gastro-intestinal system 
Notes:

Any drug not listed on the Formulary should be considered Non-Formulary - Not recommended for prescribing

01.05.01 Aminosalicylates

Octasa® (Mesalazine)

First Choice

400mg, 800mg, 1600mg MR tablets

1g suppositories

Better value than alternative brands.

Must prescribe by brand name

Entry reviewed May 2025

Mezavant® XL (Mesalazine)

Formulary

1.2g MR tablets
- once daily dosing

Must prescribe by brand name

Entry reviewed May 2025

Pentasa® (Mesalazine)

Formulary

500mg, 1g SR tablets
1g & 2g prolonged release sachet
1g suppositories
1g in 100mL retention enema

Must prescribe by brand name

Entry reviewed May 2025

Salofalk® (Mesalazine)

Formulary

500mg, 1g, 1.5g gastro-resistant modified-release granules sachets sugar free

500mg, 1g suppositories 

1g foam enema

2g/59ml enema

Entry reviewed: May 2025

Sulfasalazine

Formulary

500mg e/c and non e/c tablets
500mg suppositories
250mg/5ml suspension - RESTRICTED : paediatric patients only or those with severe swallowing difficulties 

September 2024 – Pfizer have discontinued the Salazopyrin brand, must be prescribed as generic.

Entry reviewed: September 2024

Classifications
May be initiated in any care setting
Specialist to advise therapy and provide first 28 days supply, continuation in Primary Care
Specialist to initiate and stabilise medicine prior to continuation in Primary Care
To be prescribed as per Shared Care Guidance. If no SCG in place status reverts to 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).
A decision has been made either locally and/or nationally not to routinely commission this preparation. Do not prescribe.
To be purchased over the counter. May be prescribed for chronic, long term conditions or on admission to hospital if essential.