Formulary
The Northern Ireland Formulary follows the BNF structure, click on the chapter links to navigate to the area of interest.
The aim of the Northern Ireland Formulary is to support the provision of safe, clinically effective and cost-effective medicines. The formulary covers first and second line drug choices for non-specialist areas to guide the majority of prescribing decisions. It is intended to be used across both primary and secondary care in Northern Ireland to ensure consistency and continuity of supply to the benefit of patients that require medicines.
Whilst the formulary aims to standardise practice it is recognised that individual patients may require medicines which lie outside this guidance.
The Northern Ireland Formulary provides guidance on prescribing in adults. Chapter 5 (management of infections) is the only section of the NI Formulary which includes prescribing recommendations for children.
Also in this Section
Also in this Section
- Chapter Summary Sheets
- 1.0 Gastro intestinal System
- 1.1 Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- 1.2 Antispasmodics and other drugs altering gut motility
- 1.3 Antisecretory drugs and mucosal protectants
- 1.4 Acute diarrhoea
- 1.5 Chronic bowel disorders
- 1.6 Laxatives
- 1.7 Local preparations for anal and rectal disorders
- 1.9 Drugs affecting intestinal secretions
- 2.0 Cardiovascular System
- 2.1 Positive inotropic drugs
- 2.2 Diuretics
- 2.3 Anti-arrhythmic drugs
- 2.4 Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs
- 2.5 Hypertension and heart failure
- 2.6 Nitrates, calcium-channel blockers and other antianginal drugs
- 2.7 Sympathomimetics
- 2.8 Anticoagulants and protamine
- 2.9 Antiplatelet drugs
- 2.10 Stable angina, acute coronary syndromes and fibrinolysis
- 2.11 Antifibrinolytic drugs and haemostatics
- 2.12 Lipid-regulating drugs
- 3.0 Respiratory System
- 3.1 Bronchodilators
- 3.2 Corticosteroids
- 3.3 Leukotriene receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitors
- 3.4 Antihistamines, hyposensitisation and allergic emergencies
- 3.6 Oxygen
- 3.7 Mucolytics
- 3.9 Cough preparations
- 4.0 Central Nervous System
- 4.1 Hypnotics and anxiolytics
- 4.2 Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders
- 4.3 Antidepressant drugs
- 4.4 CNS stimulants and drugs used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- 4.5 Drugs used in the treatment of obesity
- 4.6 Drugs used in nausea and vertigo
- 4.7 Analgesics
- 4.8 Anti-epileptics
- 4.9 Drugs used in parkinsonism and related disorders
- 4.10 Medications used in substance use disorders
- 4.11 Drugs for dementia
- 5.0 Infections (including children)
- 6.0 Endocrine
- 6.1 Diabetes
- 6.2 Thyroid and antithyroid drugs and parathyroid disease
- 6.3 Corticosteroids
- 6.4 Sex hormones
- 6.6 Drugs affecting bone metabolism
- 6.7 Other endocrine drugs
- 7.0 Contraception, Gynaecology and Urinary Tract Disorders
- 7.1.1 Primary dysmenorrhoea
- 7.1.2 Heavy menstrual bleeding
- 7.1.3 Endometriosis (previously diagnosed by laparoscopy)
- 7.1.4 Lichen sclerosus
- 7.1.5 Persistent breast pain
- 7.1.6 Premenstrual tension syndrome
- 7.1.7 Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- 7.2 Treatment of vaginal and vulval conditions
- 7.3 Contraceptives
- 7.4 Drugs for genito-urinary disorders
- 8.0 Malignant Disease and Immunosuppression
- 9.0 Nutrition and Blood
- 9.1 Anaemias and some other blood disorders
- 9.4 Oral Nutrition
- 9.5 Minerals
- 9.6 Vitamins
- Infant Feeding
- Supplementations in pregnancy/ pre-conception
- Wound management and nutrition
- Gluten free prescribing
- Palliative Care
- 10.0 Musculoskeletal and Joint Diseases
- 10.1 Drugs use in rheumatic diseases and gout
- 10.2 Drugs used in neuromuscular disorders
- 10.3 Drugs used for the treatment of soft-tissue disorders and topical pain relief
- 11.0 Eye
- 12.0 Ear, Nose and Oropharynx
- 13.0 Skin
- 13.1 Management of skin conditions
- 13.2 Emollients and barrier preparations
- 13.3. Topical local anaesthetics and antipruretics
- 13.4 Topical corticosteroids
- 13.5 Preparations for eczema and psoriasis
- 13.6 Acne and rosacea
- 13.7 Preparations for warts and calluses
- 13.8 Sunscreens and camouflagers
- 13.9 Shampoos and other preparations for scalp and hair conditions
- 13.10 Anti-infective skin preparations
- 13.11 Skin cleansers, antiseptics, and desloughing agents
- 13.12 Antiperspirants
- 14.0 Anaesthesia
- Wound Care Formulary