14 January 2026
January BNF + BNFC Content Updates
British National Formulary
This update contains 15 significant changes, 3 dose changes, 4 new monographs, 1 deleted monograph, and 1 deleted preparation.
Significant changes
Azithromycin: updated indication and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and new indication and dose for gonococcal conjunctivitis.
Cefixime: updated indications and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and disseminated gonococcal infection.
Cefotaxime: deleted indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
Ceftriaxone: updated indication for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and updated indications and dose for disseminated gonococcal infections.
Cefuroxime: new indication and dose for gonococcal conjunctivitis.
Ciprofloxacin: updated indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
Fluorouracil: new indication and dose for actinic keratosis.
Genital system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for management of gonorrhoea: uncomplicated.
Herpesvirus infections: updated guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis against chickenpox or shingles.
Immunoglobulins: updated guidance for uses of normal immunoglobulin and varicella-zoster immunoglobulin.
Life support algorithm (image): adult advanced life support algorithm image updated.
Normal immunoglobulin: new dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella-zoster infection.
Ofloxacin: new indications and dose for gonococcal urethritis and gonococcal cervicitis, and deleted indications and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and disseminated gonococcal infection.
Prescribing in palliative care: updated guidance for opioid dose conversions.
Varicella-zoster vaccines: updated guidance for pre-exposure prophylaxis against varicella (chickenpox) and immunisation against herpes zoster (shingles).
Dose changes
Herpes-zoster vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) [update to age range for immunisation against herpes zoster (shingles) in patients with severe immunosuppression].
Lidocaine hydrochloride [update to dose for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia refractory to defibrillation [for cardiopulmonary resuscitation as an alternative to amiodarone]].
Varicella-zoster vaccine [update to dose interval for immunisation against varicella infection (chickenpox) for adults and children aged 1 year and older].
New monographs
Hetronifly® [serplulimab] for Small cell lung cancer.
Jaypirca® [pirtobrutinib] for Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Mantle cell lymphoma.
Skyclarys® [omaveloxolone] for Friedreich’s ataxia (under expert supervision).
Tepezza® [teprotumumab] for Thyroid eye disease (under expert supervision).
Deleted monograph
Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin.
Deleted preparation
Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin solution for injection (Bio Products Laboratory).
BNF for Children
This update contains 15 significant changes, 4 dose changes, 1 new monograph, 1 new preparation, and 1 deleted preparation.
Significant changes
Aciclovir: new dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella zoster infection.
Azithromycin: updated indication and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and new indication and dose for gonococcal conjunctivitis.
Budesonide with formoterol (Symbicort 100/6 Turbohaler®): updated dosing for asthma, maintenance and reliever therapy.
Cefixime: updated indications and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and disseminated gonococcal infection.
Cefotaxime: deleted indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
Ceftriaxone: updated indication for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and updated indications and dose for disseminated gonococcal infections.
Cefuroxime: new indication and dose for gonococcal conjunctivitis.
Ciprofloxacin: updated indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
Genital system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for management of gonorrhoea: uncomplicated.
Herpesvirus infections: updated guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis against chickenpox or shingles.
Immunoglobulins: updated guidance for uses of normal immunoglobulin and varicella-zoster immunoglobulin.
Life support algorithm (image): newborn life support algorithm, paediatric basic life support algorithm, paediatric out-of-hospital basic life support algorithm, and paediatric advanced life support algorithm images updated.
Normal immunoglobulin: new dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella-zoster infection.
Ofloxacin: deleted indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
Varicella-zoster vaccines: updated guidance for pre-exposure prophylaxis against varicella (chickenpox).
Dose changes
Aciclovir [update to neonate dose for varicella zoster (chickenpox), treatment].
Amiodarone hydrochloride [update to dose for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia refractory to defibrillation [for cardiopulmonary resuscitation]].
Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin [update to indications and dose].
Varicella-zoster vaccine [update to dose interval for immunisation against varicella infection (chickenpox) for children aged 1 year and older].
New monograph
Skyclarys® [omaveloxolone] for Friedreich’s ataxia (under expert supervision).
New preparation
Varitect CP® [varicella-zoster immunoglobulin] for Post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella-zoster infection [neonates exposed to maternal chickenpox 7 days before or after delivery].
Deleted preparation
Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin solution for injection (Bio Products Laboratory).
