Medicines Formulary - Chapter 2.12: Lipid regulating drugs

Chapters

Drug name	NICE TAs	Comments
Alirocumab (Praluent®)	TA393 - Alirocumab for treating primary hypercholesterolaemia and mixed dyslipidaemia	To be used in line with NICE TA
Atorvastatin tablets
Bezafibrate M/R tablets
Bezafibrate tablets
Colestyramine sachets		Jaundice and PBC
Evolocumab	TA394 - Evolocumab for treating primary hypercholesterolaemia and mixed dyslipidaemia & Homozygous familial hypercholesterola EMIA in line with NHS England SSC 1649	To be used in line with NICE TA
Ezetimibe tablets	TA132 - Ezetimibe for the treatment of primary (heterozygous-familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia
Fenofibrate capsules
Fenofibrate tablets
Fluvastatin capsules
Pravastatin tablets
Rosuvastatin tablets		40mg dose can be titrated up to on specialist recommendation for patient safety reasons as per the Summary Product Characteristics.
Simvastatin tablets		MHRA advice regarding high dose simvastatin (May 2010): • Simvastatin 80 mg should be considered only in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and high risk of cardiovascular complications who have not achieved their treatment goals on lower doses, when the benefits are expected to outweigh the potential risks • Prescribers treating patients who are taking simvastatin 80 mg or who are being considered for an up-titration to that dose may need to review their treatment during their next visit, to take into account the new evidence • Patients who are currently taking simvastatin 80 mg should not stop taking their medicine. However, they should be advised to contact their doctor immediately if they experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness • Please report suspected adverse reactions with medicines, including statins, to us via the Yellow Card Scheme (www.yellowcard.gov.uk)

Drug status key

Formulary drugs are allocated a traffic light status. This provides guidance on where clinical and prescribing responsibilities lie in regard to the initiation and maintenance of prescribing.

Grey

Positive NICE TA and/or awaiting local clarification on place in therapy. Please contact your medicines optimisation team for more information.

Red

Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by specialists only.

Amber

Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by specialists and transfer to primary care prescribing when appropriate, or in primary care following a specialists recommendation. Prior to initiation some medicines may require committee agreement or a framework to support safe transfer and maintenance.

Green

Initiation and maintenance of prescribing by specialists, GPs and other qualified clinicians.

Blue

Under review at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.