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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. 
05.01.02.02 Carbapenems

Ertapenem 1g
(Injection )

RED
Restricted Drug Restricted
Restricted - Microbiology Approval required.

N.B. Do not prescribe concurrently with sodium valproate, valproic acid or valproate semisodium due to the major drug interaction. Valproic acid levels are reduced by 60 to 100% within 2 days
BNF BNFc SPC

Meropenem
(injection)

RED
Restricted Drug Restricted

500mg & 1g Injection

Must only be prescribed in accordance with the Antimicrobial Guidelines or by recommendation from a Consultant Microbiologist.

N.B. Do not prescribe concurrently with sodium valproate, valproic acid or valproate semisodium due to the major drug interaction. Valproic acid levels are reduced by 60 to 100% within 2 days.

BNF BNFc SPC
Administration of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics by Extended Infusion in Adult Critical Care Patients
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.