Download APC Newsletter 2005

ROTHERHAM
AREA PRESCRIBING COMMITTEE
NEWSLETTER
BULLETIN NO 7
MARCH 2005
Following meeting 16 March 2005
HOT TOPIC 1: ANTI DEPRESSANT GUIDELINES
Enclosed is a copy of the Anti Depressant Guidelines, which are for Primary Care in
Rotherham. The Guidelines have been developed within the PCT and have also been
through the relevant committees within Doncaster and South Humber Health Authority.
We have tried to keep the guidelines as simple as possible, they mostly represent NICE
Guidance.
HOT TOPIC 2: VENLAFAXINE
At the Area Prescribing Committee today Venlafaxine has been Amber 2 lighted this
again represents NICE Guidance. New patients starting on Venlafaxine should only
be initiated under the Consultants Control or a GP with a special interest. For
existing patients with known cardiovascular disease, ongoing monitoring should be
undertaken for regular blood pressure monitoring. The Area Prescribing Committee
recommends patients currently on venlafaxine should be individually assessed and
informed of the risks of ongoing treatment. Further information will be available
within a few weeks from Doncaster and South Humber Health Authority.
ROTHERHAM
AREA PRESCRIBING COMMITTEE
NEWSLETTER
HOT TOPIC 3: DOSULEPIN
Recent evidence and NICE Guidance indicates that Dosulepin is a very high risk
drug when used with patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Again in all patients,
practitioners should consider stopping this medication having discussed the risk
factors with patients and no new patients should be started within Primary Care.
This drug has been allocated a Red light in the traffic Light System.
HOT TOPIC 4: DULOXETINE
Duloxetine is a new anti depressant which has been allocated an Amber Light within
the Traffic Light System. It has an alternative mode of action with SSRI’s and may
therefore be useful for patients with refractory depression. Apparently
representatives from the drugs company are visiting practices at present advising
GP’s that Duloxetine is being recommended by DASH. The DASH representatives on
the Area Prescribing Committee categorically deny this and would not recommend
at the current stage Duloxetine used within Primary Care.
HOT TOPIC 5: PREGABALIN
Further discussions took place around prescribing in Neuro-Pathic pain following
the last meeting of the Area Prescribing Committee. After further discussion it was
decided to Red Light Pregabalin until more evidence has come to light.