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BNF for Children January 2025 Update

This update contains 13 significant changes, 4 dose changes, 2 new monographs, 2 new preparations and 2 deleted monographs.

Significant Changes:

Cefotaxime: removal of indication and dose for emergency treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease, before urgent transfer to hospital, in patients who cannot be given benzylpenicillin.

Ceftriaxone: update to indications and dosing for pre-hospital treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease.

Central nervous system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance on management.

Chloramphenicol: updated monitoring advice.

Dexamethasone: update to dose advice for adjunctive treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis.

Fever: updated guidance on management.

GLP-1 receptor agonists: reminder of the potential side effects and to be aware of the potential for misuse [MHRA/CHM advice] (advice in dulaglutide, liraglutide and semaglutide; see example in liraglutide).

Medical emergencies in the community: update to antibacterials for suspected bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate: risk of meningioma and measures to minimise this risk [MHRA/CHM advice].

Neonatal infection, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance on management.

Respiratory system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance on fluoroquinolones.

Urinary-tract infections: updated guidance on fluoroquinolones.

Urinary-tract infections: updated guidance on treatment of lower urinary-tract infections.

 

Dose Changes:

Cefotaxime [removal of intramuscular route for severe susceptible infections due to sensitive Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and meningitis].

Ceftriaxone [removal of intramuscular route for meningitis].

Ceftriaxone [update to indications and dosing for meningitis and meningococcal disease].

Fluconazole [update to indications and dosing].

 

New Monographs:

Piasky® [crovalimab].

Sogroya® [somapacitan].

 

New Preparations: Alutard SQ Bee® [bee venom extract]; Alutard SQ Wasp® [wasp venom extract].

 

Deleted Monographs: Crizanlizumab; Voxelotor.