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14 May 2026

May BNF + BNFC Knowledge Updates

British National Formulary  British National Formulary

This update contains 29 significant changes, 3 dose changes, 2 new monographs, 2 new preparations, and 1 deleted monograph.

Significant changes

Adrenaline/epinephrine: name change to adrenaline.

Albumin solution: name change to albumin.

Anti-D (Rh0) immunoglobulin: name change to anti-D immunoglobulins.

Antidiabetic drugs and drugs with neuromuscular blocking effects: pharmacodynamic effects drug groups deleted from Interactions.

Cannabis extract: name change to cannabidiol with dronabinol.

Ceftazidime with avibactam: new indication and dose for bacteraemia.

Ceftazidime with avibactam: update to indication for Gram-negative infections.

COVID-19 vaccines: updated guidance on the Spring 2026 immunisation campaign.

Cyclogest® pessaries [progesterone]: new indication and dose for prevention of preterm birth.

Diphtheria with tetanus and pertussis vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine.

Diphtheria with tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis vaccine.

Diphtheria with tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis vaccine.

Diphtheria with tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine.

Dried prothrombin complex: name change to prothrombin complex.

Drugs with anticoagulant effects and drugs with antiplatelet effects: pharmacodynamic effects drug groups combined and renamed as drugs that cause bleeding; see Interactions.

Dutasteride: update to monitoring requirements and effect on laboratory tests.

Finasteride: new monitoring requirements and update to effect on laboratory tests.

Haemophilus influenzae type b with meningococcal group C vaccine: name change to haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal group C vaccine.

Influenza: updated guidance on management.

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: name change to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Meningococcal group B vaccine (rDNA, component, adsorbed): name change to meningococcal group B vaccine.

Meningococcal groups A with C and W135 and Y vaccine: name change to meningococcal groups A, C, W135, and Y vaccine.

Molnupiravir: update to indication for COVID-19.

Noradrenaline/norepinephrine: name change to noradrenaline.

Obinutuzumab: new indication and dose for lupus nephritis.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed): name change to pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine: name change to respiratory syncytial virus vaccine.

Zanamivir: deleted indication and dose for treatment of influenza [uncomplicated, resistant to other treatments, and inhaled formulation unsuitable].

Zanamivir: update to indications for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza.

Dose Changes 

Baloxavir marboxil [update to age ranges and dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza and treatment of influenza].

Oseltamivir [update to indication for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza, and renal dosing in adults].

Utrogestan® vaginal capsules (progesterone) [update to dosing for supplementation of luteal phase during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles].

New Monographs

Imvanex® [smallpox and mpox vaccines] for Pre-exposure immunisation against smallpox and mpox [in patients previously unvaccinated against smallpox]; Pre-exposure immunisation against smallpox and mpox [in patients previously vaccinated against smallpox] Post-exposure prophylaxis against smallpox and mpox.

Itovebi® [inavolisib] for Breast cancer.

New Preparations

Misabri® [pregabalin] for Peripheral and central neuropathic pain.

Prometrium® [progesterone] for Threatened miscarriage [with vaginal bleeding and previous miscarriage] (initiated by a specialist).

Deletedmonographs

Sotrovimab

 

 BNF for Children

This update contains 21 significant changes, 2 dose changes, 2 new monographs, and 1 deleted monograph.

Significant changes

Adrenaline/epinephrine: name change to adrenaline.

Albumin solution: name change to albumin.

Anti-D (Rh0) immunoglobulin: name change to anti-D immunoglobulins.

Antidiabetic drugs and drugs with neuromuscular blocking effects: pharmacodynamic effects drug groups deleted from Interactions.

COVID-19 vaccines: updated guidance on the Spring 2026 immunisation campaign.

Diphtheria with tetanus and pertussis vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine.

Diphtheria with tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis vaccine.

Diphtheria with tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis vaccine.

Diphtheria with tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine: name change to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine.

Dried prothrombin complex: name change to prothrombin complex.

Drugs with anticoagulant effects and drugs with antiplatelet effects: pharmacodynamic effects drug groups combined and renamed as drugs that cause bleeding; see Interactions.

Haemophilus influenzae type b with meningococcal group C vaccine: name change to haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal group C vaccine.

Influenza: updated guidance on management.

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: name change to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Meningococcal group B vaccine (rDNA, component, adsorbed): name change to meningococcal group B vaccine.

Meningococcal groups A with C and W135 and Y vaccine: name change to meningococcal groups A, C, W135, and Y vaccine.

Noradrenaline/norepinephrine: name change to noradrenaline.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed): name change to pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine: name change to respiratory syncytial virus vaccine.

Zanamivir: deleted indication and dose for treatment of influenza [uncomplicated, resistant to other treatments, and inhaled formulation unsuitable].

Zanamivir: update to indications for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza.

Dose Changes 

Baloxavir marboxil [update to age ranges and dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza and treatment of influenza].

Oseltamivir [update to indication for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza, and update to dosing for neonates in post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza].

New Monographs

Imvanex® [smallpox and mpox vaccines] for Pre-exposure immunisation against smallpox and mpox [in patients previously unvaccinated against smallpox]; Pre-exposure immunisation against smallpox and mpox [in patients previously vaccinated against smallpox] Post-exposure prophylaxis against smallpox and mpox.

Zavicefta® [ceftazidime with avibactam] for Complicated intra-abdominal infection, Complicated urinary tract infection [including pyelonephritis]; Hospital-acquired pneumonia [including ventilator-associated pneumonia]; Aerobic Gram-negative infections [in patients with limited treatment options] (administered on expert advice).

Deletedmonographs

Sotrovimab