Formulary for mental health medications
The Drugs & Therapeutics Committee has approved this list of formulary medicines with links to national and local
prescribing guidelines.
If a medicine for a mental health condition (or the treatment of substance misuse) is not on this list then it is not on the
NAViGO Formulary; pharmacy should be contacted for advice.
Specific comments are included for medicines that are covered by:
· NICE Technology Appraisals
· CSM (Committee for Safety of Medicines) or MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) advice
The following NICE clinical guidelines contain recommendations about drug treatment of mental health
conditions (www.nice.org.uk)
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Schizophrenia in adults (CG82) – March 2009
Bipolar disorder in adults, children and adolescents (CG38) – July 2006
Violence: The short-term management of disturbed/violent behaviour in in-patient psychiatric settings and
emergency departments (CG25) – February 2005
Depression in adults (CG90) and in adults with a chronic physical health problem (CG91) – October 2009
Depression in children and young people: Identification and management in primary, community and secondary
care (CG28) – September 2005
Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) in adults (CG113) – Jan 2011
ADHD in children, young people and adults (CG72) – September 2008
Dementia (CG42) – updated March 2011
Drug misuse: Opioid detoxification (CG52) – July 2007
Alcohol-related physical complications (CG100) – June 2010
Harmful drinking and alcohol dependence (CG115) – February 2011
Antisocial personality disorder (CG77) – January 2009
Borderline personality disorder (CG78) – January 2009
Antenatal and postnatal mental health (CG45) – April 2007
NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder (CG31) – November 2005
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): The management of PTSD in adults and children in primary and secondary
care (CG26) – March 2005
Eating disorders (CG9) – January 2004
Autism in adults (CG142) – June 2012
Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people – January 2013
Self-harm (CG16) – July 2004
Social anxiety disorder: recognition, assessment and treatment (CG159) May 2013
NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC
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Medicine
Notes
Related NICE Technology Appraisal (TA)
or CSM/MHRA advice
Third-line only
Do not use for alcohol withdrawal
CMS advice on use of benzodiazepines
www.mhra.gov.uk
4.1.1 Hypnotics
Chloral Hydrate Mixture
Clomethiazole Capsules, Syrup
Nitrazepam Tablets, Suspension
Temazepam Tablets, Elixir
Melatonin Capsules, Liquid
Zopiclone Tablets
TA77 Insomnia - newer hypnotic drugs;
Zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone for the
management of insomnia
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA77
4.1.2 Anxiolytics
Buspirone Tablets
Chlordiazepoxide Capsules
Diazepam Tablets, Syrup, Injection,
Injection Emulsion, Rectal Solution
Hydroxyzine Tablets, Syrup 10mg in 5ml
Lorazepam Tablets, Injection
Midazolam injection
Oxazepam Tablets
Alcohol withdrawal
CMS advice on use of benzodiazepines
www.mhra.gov.uk
CD, Only in shortage of lorazepam
4.2.1 Antipsychotic drugs
Amisulpride Tablets
Aripiprazole Tablets
Benperidol Tablets
Chlorpromazine Tablets, Syrup
Clozapine Tablets
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CPMS registration and monitoring
required
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Flupentixol Tablets
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NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC
TA213 Aripiprazole for the treatment of
schizophrenia in people aged 15 to 17 years;
January 2011
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA213
Advice in the BNF about prescribing doses
above BNF upper limit
Advice in the BNF about prescribing
antipsychotics in the elderly especially with
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dementia
Haloperidol Syrup, Tablets, Capsules,
Injection, Liquid
Olanzapine Tablets, injection
Pimozide Tablets
Quetiapine Tablets, XL Tablets
Risperidone Tablets, Liquid,
Trifluoperazine Tablets, Liquid, SR
Capsules
Zuclopenthixol Acetate (Clopixol Acuphase)
Zuclopenthixol Dihydrochloride Tablets
4.2.2 Antipsychotic depot injections
Flupentixol decanoate Injection
Fluphenazine decanoate Injection
Haloperidol Decanoate Injection
Paliperidone palmitate
Pipotiazine palmitate Injection
Risperidone LAI
Zuclopenthixol Decanoate Injection (Depot)
Local guidance on initiation - Intranet
4.2.3 Antimanic drugs
Asenapine sublingual tablets
Carbamazepine Tablets, Syrup,
Suppositories
Lithium Carbonate (Camcolit) Tablets
Lithium Carbonate (Priadel) MR Tablets,
Liquid
Semisodium Valproate (Valproic Acid)
Tablets
Third-line only
Lithium Treatment Pack to be given on
initiation of treatment
MHRA Drug Safety Update “Priadel liquid –
potential for dosing errors” July 2009
www.mhra.gov.uk
4.3.1 Tricyclic and related antidepressant drugs
NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC
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Amitriptyline Tablets, Syrup
Clomipramine Capsules
Dosulepin (Dothiepin) Tablets, Capsules
Imipramine Tablets
Lofepramine Tablets, Liquid
Mianserin Tablets
Nortriptyline Tablets
Trazodone Tablets, Capsules, Liquid
Trimipramine Tablets, Capsules
4.3.2 Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors
Moclobemide Tablets
Phenelzine Tablets
Tranylcypromine Tablets
4.3.3 Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
Citalopram Tablets, Drops
Fluoxetine Capsules, Liquid
Paroxetine Tablets, Liquid
Sertraline Tablets
See BNF for changing from tablets to
drops
CSM advice about antidepressants and the
risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour
(especially in young people); also risk of
hyponatremia (especially in elderly)
www.mhra.gov.uk
4.3.4 Other antidepressants drugs
Duloxetine Capsules
Mirtazapine Tablets, Orodispersible Tablets
Venlafaxine Tablets, MR Capsules
4.4 CNS stimulants and other drugs used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Atomoxetine Capsules
Methylphenidate hydrochloride Tablets and
M/R preparations
NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC
TA98 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) - methylphenidate, atomoxetine and
dexamfetamine (review); March 2006
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA98
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4.9.2 Antimuscarinic drugs
Orphenadrine Tablets
Procyclidine Tablets, Elixir, Injection
Trihexyphenidyl (Benzhexol) Tablets
4.9.3 Drugs used in essential tremor, chorea, ticks, and related disorders
Tetrabenazine Tablets
4.10 Drugs used in substance dependence
Acamprosate calcium Tablets
Buprenorphine Sublingual Tablets
Bupropion (Amfebutamone) MR Tablets
Disulfiram Tablets
Lofexidine Tablets
Methadone Mixture
Naltrexone Tablets
Nicotine replacement therapy (Patches &
Lozenges only) Various preparations
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CD
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CD
TA114 Methadone and buprenorphine for
the management of opioid dependence;
January 2007
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA114
TA115 Naltrexone for the management of
opioid dependence January 2007
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA115
4.11 Drugs used for dementia
Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets
Galantamine Tablets, MR Capsules
Rivastigmine Capsules
Memantine tablets
NAViGO Health and Social Care CIC
TA217 Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine
and memantine for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease; March 2011
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA217
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