The British National Formulary (BNF) is the first choice for concise medicines information. Trusted by healthcare professionals across the world to support confident decision-making at the point of care. The new edition (BNF 85) provides up-to-date guidance on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines, plus legal and professional guidelines.
Extensive content updates in the BNF 85 edition include:
New monographs for:
- Aklief® [trifarotene] for acne vulgaris
- Drovelis® [drospirenone with estetrol] for hormonal contraception
- Ducressa® [dexamethasone with levofloxacin] for prophylaxis or treatment of postoperative inflammation, or prevention of infection, following cataract surgery
- Kerendia® [finerenone] for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes
- Magnesium citrate for treatment and prevention of magnesium deficiency
- Netildex® [dexamethasone with netilmicin] for local treatment of eye inflammation and bacterial infection
- Nettacin® [netilmicin] for local treatment of eye infection
- Sibnayal® [potassium citrate with potassium bicarbonate] for distal renal tubular acidosis
- Tenkasi® [oritavancin] for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections
- Vydura® [rimegepant] for treatment or prophylaxis of migraine
- Xerava® [eravacycline] for complicated intra-abdominal infections
MHRA advice on:,/u> - Anagrelide: risk of thrombosis, including cerebral infarction, if treatment discontinued abruptly
- Denosumab (Prolia®): should not be used in patients under 18 years due to the risk of serious hypercalcaemia
- Dexmedetomidine: clinical trial finds increased risk of mortality in intensive care unit patients aged 65 years or younger
- Metformin hydrochloride: reduced vitamin B12 levels and new advice for monitoring patients at risk
- Methylphenidate hydrochloride long-acting (modified-release) preparations: caution if switching between products due to differences in formulations
- Nebulised asthma rescue therapy in children: home use of nebulisers in paediatric asthma should be initiated and managed only by specialists
- Rucaparib (Rubraca®): withdrawal of third-line treatment indication
- Topiramate (Topamax®): start of safety review triggered by a study reporting an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children with prenatal exposure
Other significant changes include updated guidance on:
- Antibacterials for the prevention of secondary cases of diphtheria, and addition of guidance for the prevention of intra-uterine infection in preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
- Contraceptive interactions
- Prescribing of drugs associated with dependence and withdrawal
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Management of depression
- Diphtheria vaccine
- Management of epilepsy
- Management of gout
- Post-exposure prophylaxis of herpesvirus infections
- Hydrocortisone: addition of children’s dosing for adrenal crisis
- Management of hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes
- Management of multiple sclerosis
- Obstetrics: preterm labour
- Tacrolimus: updated pregnancy, breast-feeding and monitoring advice
- Type 1 diabetes: inclusion of continuous glucose monitoring in aims of treatment
- Type 2 diabetes: use of non-insulin antidiabetic drugs
- Valaciclovir: update to indication and doses in line with UK Health Security Agency recommendations on post-exposure prophylaxis for chickenpox and shingles
BNF 85 is an essential publication, it provides you with:
- Up-to-date information on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines
- Authoritative, independent guidance on best practice enabling you to select safe and effective medicines
- Information you know you can trust for quality, reliability, and independence
- Everything you need at your fingertips, all in one book
