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BNF for Children December 2023 Update

This update contains 10 significant changes and 1 dose changes.

Significant Changes:

  • Adverse reactions to drugs: updated information on MHRA Yellow Card scheme (including interactive Drug Analysis Profiles and the Yellow Card biobank) and medication error reporting.
  • Antibacterials, use for prophylaxis: updated guidance for the prevention of secondary cases of diphtheria.
  • Benzathine benzylpenicillin: important safety information updated to highlight difference with benzylpenicillin sodium.
  • Benzylpenicillin sodium: important safety information updated to highlight difference with benzathine benzylpenicillin.
  • Carvedilol: updated to include dosing for primary prevention of decompensated cirrhosis, and prevention of bleeding from medium or large oesophageal varices.
  • Contraceptives, interactions: updated guidance for drug interactions between HIV antiretroviral therapy and contraceptives.
  • Dalteparin sodium: new indication for treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism.
  • Ear: updated guidance for the management of otitis media with effusion.
  • Propranolol hydrochloride: updated to include dosing for primary prevention of decompensated cirrhosis, and prevention of bleeding from medium or large oesophageal varices.
  • Statins: very infrequent reports of myasthenia gravis [MHRA/CHM advice] (see example in simvastatin).

Dose Changes:

  • Somatropin [update to dosing for Noonan syndrome].