Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines: Patient FAQ for Self-Care(200 KB)
Date added: 30th Mar 2026
| Drug Name | Classification | Clinical Indication | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIRZEPATIDE (Mounjaro®) (UPDATED) | Green | Management of overweight and obesity |
For managing overweight and obesity in adults in line with NICE TA1026. March 2026: Green for eligible cohort only as per LLR weight management guide or access via LLR specialist weight loss clinic |
| ADAPALENE / BENZOYL PEROXIDE TOPICAL (Epiduo®) | Green | Acne |
For more information please see local algorithm. |
| ADAPALENE topical | Green | Acne |
For more information see local algorithm. |
| AMANTADINE | Yellow | For fatigue in Multiple sclerosis |
Amantadine for fatigue in Multiple sclerosis: prescribing notes |
| AMILORIDE (UPDATED) | Orange | Oedema in heart failure, reduction of hypokalaemia induced by diuretics and adjunct to other diuretics in hypertension in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| AMIODARONE (UPDATED) | Orange |
All new patients initiating therapy require a SCA. |
|
| AMISULPRIDE | Yellow | Schizophrenia | |
| ANTIPSYCHOTICS-Atypical | Yellow |
See the LLR Antipsychotic prescribing guide Clozapine remains red – secondary care only. |
|
| APIXABAN | Green | Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation |
Use in line with |
| ARIPIPRAZOLE LONG-ACTING INJECTION (Abilify Maintena®) (UPDATED) | Yellow | Maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in patients currently stabilised on oral aripiprazole |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide 2 strengths available: 400mg (each month) and 960mg (every 2 months) |
| ARIPIPRAZOLE oral | Yellow | Schizophrenia. Treatment and recurrence of mania. Control of agitation and disturbed behaviour in schizophrenia | |
| ASPIRIN (NEW) | Orange | Antiplatelet, used either as mono-therapy or dual-therapy with clopidogrel in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| ATENOLOL (NEW) | Orange | Hypertension & arrhythmias in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| ATOMOXETINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
Adults Children and adolescents
|
| ATROPINE EYE DROPS | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| AZATHIOPRINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Dermatological disease | |
| AZATHIOPRINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease) |
|
| AZATHIOPRINE | Orange | Rheumatological disease | |
| AZATHIOPRINE | Orange | Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease) & Autoimmune Hepatitis | |
| AZATHIOPRINE | Orange | Autoimmune neurological disorders |
Please see SCA for individual indications |
| AZELAIC ACID 20% TOPICAL | Green | Acne |
See local algorithm for more information. |
| BEMPEDOIC ACID (Nilemdo®) | Green | Primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia and secondary prevention in adults |
In line with LLR lipid pathway
|
| BEMPEDOIC ACID / EZETIMIBE (Nustendi®) | Green | Primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia and secondary prevention in adults |
In line with the LLR lipid guidance
|
| BETULA VERRUCOSA ALLERGEN EXTRACT (Itulazax®) | Orange | Moderate to severe allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis caused by Birch pollen |
|
| Bismuth, Metronidazole & Tetracycline ( Pylera) (NEW) | Green | Eradication of H. Pylori for patients with penicillin allergy already exposed to clarithromycin |
Use in line with local antimicrobial guidelines. |
| CANAGLIFLOZIN | Green | Type 2 diabetes |
Conditional on prescriber being competent to select appropriate patients. |
| CAPTOPRIL (UPDATED) | Orange | For the treatment of Heart failure, Hypertension and Aortic stenosis/regurgitation in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| CARVEDILOL (NEW) | Orange | Heart failure in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| Cequa | Red | Dry eye, ocular surface inflammation | |
| CICLOSPORIN Oral (UPDATED) | Orange | Dermatological disease | |
| CIPROFLOXACIN 2mg/ml ear drops (Cetraxal®) | Green | Acute otitis externa |
Please see appropriate antimicrobial guidance for treatment advice in otitis externa. Antimicrobial Guidance for Primary Care |
| CLINDAMYCIN AND BENZYL PEROXIDE TOPICAL (Duac ®) | Green | Acne |
See local algorithm for more information |
| CLINDAMYCIN AND TRETINOIN TOPICAL (Treclin®) | Green | Acne |
See local algorithm for more information. |
| CLOPIDOGREL (NEW) | Orange | Antiplatelet, used either as mono-therapy or dual-therapy with aspirin in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| COLISTIN (Colomycin ® and Promixin®) (UPDATED) | Yellow | Bronchiectasis |
Please see guide for more information. Must be prescribed by brand as the brands are not interchangeable. May 2025: Promixin is being discontinued, to use remaining stock for existing patients. Patients prescribed Promixin in primary care should be referred back to specialist team for review. |
| COLONIS melatonin 1mg/1ml liquid | Do not prescribe | Insomnia and Jet Lag |
This brand due to excipient content is not approved for use in LLR. Please note, this formulation of melatonin 1mg/1ml oral solution is contraindicated in children as it contains excipients at levels which can cause harm in children. |
| DABIGATRAN | Green | Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation |
Use in line with |
| DALTEPARIN | Green | Low INR |
This remains a second-line option for patients who are not suitable for enoxaparin In line with Warfarin Guidelines for Primary Care |
| DANTROLENE Capsules | Orange | Chronic Spasticity in Adults | |
| DAPAGLIFLOZIN (UPDATED) | Yellow | Type 2 diabetes |
Simple amber if GP does not feel competent to initiate. Use in line with NICE TA 288 |
| DAPAGLIFLOZIN (UPDATED) | Green | Type 2 diabetes |
Conditional on prescriber being competent to select appropriate patients |
| DAPAGLIFLOZIN (UPDATED) | Yellow | Chronic Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction |
In line with NICE TA679 and NICE TA902 |
| DAPAGLIFLOZIN (UPDATED) | Green | CKD in adults |
In line with NICE TA775 See CKD pathway for more information |
| DAPSONE (UPDATED) | Orange | Dermatology |
See shared care agreement for details. |
| DARIDOREXANT (Quviviq®) (UPDATED) | Green | Treating long-term insomnia |
Management of long term insomnia in primary care Chronic Insomnia Pathway In line with NICE TA922 |
| Del nido | Red | Myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass | |
| DENOSUMAB (Jubereq®) (NEW) | Orange | Prevention of skeletal related events in adults with bone metastases from solid tumours other than prostate |
Biosimilar of denosumab; preferred first-line option in LLR for prevention of skeletal related events in adults with bone metastases from solid tumours other than prostate (120mg vial). Preparing to use denosumab 120mg biosimilar |
| DENOSUMAB (Ponlimisi®) (NEW) | Orange | Osteoporosis |
Biosimilar of denosumab; preferred first-line option in LLR for osteoporosis (60mg PFS). Preparing to use denosumab 60mg biosimilar
|
| DENOSUMAB (Prolia®) (UPDATED) | Orange | Osteoporosis |
Prolia® is the Reference (originator) product In LLR Ponlimsi® 60mg PFS (denosumab biosimilar) is the First line choice for osteoporosis instead of Prolia® Prolia® remains available for patients intolerant to biosimilar alternatives. |
| DERMATOPHAGOIDES PTERONYSSINUS ALLERGEN EXTRACT (Acarizax®) (UPDATED) | Orange | Immunotherapy treatment for house dust mite and allergic rhinitis in paediatrics. | |
| DEXAMFETAMINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
Adults Children and adolescents |
| DEXAMFETAMINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy | |
| Dexcom ONE® and Dexcom ONE+® (UPDATED) | Yellow | Diabetes Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) |
Dexcom ONE® and Dexcom ONE+ ® are approved for use in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for diabetes glucose monitoring where a patient meets the criteria detailed in the LLR APC position statement. Dexcom ONE® will be discontinued on 31st March 2026 and therefore all patients using this device should be switched over to the updated Dexcom ONE+. All new patients must be started on Dexcom ONE+ |
| DIGOXIN (NEW) | Orange | Heart failure and supraventricular arrhythmias in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| EDOXABAN | Green | Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation |
Use in line with |
| EMPAGLIFLOZIN (UPDATED) | Green | Type 2 diabetes & Chronic Kidney Disease |
Type 2 diabetes in line with NICE TA336. CKD treatment in line with NICE TA942. See local CKD pathway. Guidance on Generic SGLT2i Prescribing in LLR Dapagliflozin is First Line in LLR |
| EMPAGLIFLOZIN (Jardiance®) (UPDATED) | Yellow | Chronic heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced fraction and reduced ejection fraction |
In line with NICE TA929 and NICE TA773 |
| ENALAPRIL (UPDATED) | Orange | Heart failure and hypertension in infants and children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| ENOXAPARIN | Green | Thromboprophylaxis and treatment of DVT and PE |
Prescribe by brand name INHIXA® as different brands have different injection techniques. Courses started during the dalteparin shortage can be continued to be supplied in primary care LLR ICB Position Statement Subcutaneous injection of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Primary Care |
| ENOXAPARIN | Green | Low INR used in line with primary care warfarin guidance |
Prescribe by brand name INHIXA® as different brands have different injection techniques. Warfarin Guidelines for Primary Care LLR ICB Position Statement Subcutaneous injection of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Primary Care |
| ENOXAPARIN (Inhixa®) | Yellow | Antenatal Indications |
LLR ICB Position Statement Subcutaneous injection of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Primary Care |
| ERTAPENEM IV | Green | Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) |
UTI in line with Primary Care Multi-resistant lower UTI guidance |
| ERTUGLIFLOZIN (Steglatro®) | Green | Type 2 diabetes mellitus (for 18 years and over) as monotherapy |
In line with NICE TA 572 |
| ERTUGLIFLOZIN (Steglatro®) | Yellow | Type 2 diabetes mellitus (for 18 years and over) as monotherapy or with metformin or with metformin and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor |
In line with NICE TA 572 and NICE TA 583 |
| FENTANYL Sublingual (Abstral®) | Green | Breakthrough cancer pain in patients already on opioids. Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| FIDAXOMICIN | Yellow |
Clostridium difficile infection |
GP can initiate if in line with Community Clostridium difficile Care Pathway |
| FINERENONE (UPDATED) | Yellow | Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 3 and 4 with albuminuria) associated with Type 2 Diabetes in Adults |
In line with NICE TA877 Use in line with the CKD pathway |
| FLECAINIDE (NEW) | Orange | Arrhythmias in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| FLUPENTIXOL (oral) | Yellow | Schizophrenia and other psychoses | |
| FLUPENTIXOL DECANOATE | Yellow | Schizophrenia | |
| FLUPHENAZINE (UPDATED) | Do not prescribe | Schizophrenia and other psychoses |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide Non- Formulary No new initiations, licensed prep no longer available. Patients established on therapy may continue. |
| FLUTICASONE / AZELASTINE NASAL SPRAY (Dymista®) | Green | Rhinitis |
To be used in line with the Allergic Rhinitis Pathway |
| Freestyle Libre 2 Plus® (UPDATED) | Yellow | Diabetes Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) |
Freestyle Libre 2 Plus® is approved for use in LLR for diabetes glucose monitoring where a patient meets the criteria detailed in the LLR APC position statement.
|
| FUROSEMIDE (UPDATED) | Orange | Oedema in heart failure and hypertension in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| GOSERELIN | Green | Prostatic carcinoma |
GP can give first injection to patients in whom anti-androgen treatment has been started by secondary care clinician. Regulation restricts the prescribing and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones to children and young people under 18 |
| GRANISETRON oral and injection | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| GRASS POLLEN ALLERGEN EXTRACT sublingual (Grazax®) (UPDATED) | Orange | Grass pollen allergies | |
| GUANFACINE (UPDATED) | Orange | ADHD - Adult |
Adult Full SCA and Request Form |
| GUANFACINE (UPDATED) | Orange | ADHD - Peadiatric |
Paediatric Full SCA and Request Form |
| HALOPERIDOL (oral) | Yellow | Schizophrenia and psychoses |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
| HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE | Yellow | Schizophrenia |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
| HYDRALAZINE (UPDATED) | Yellow | Hypertension & Heart Failure | |
| HYDROCORTISONE INJECTION | Yellow | Emergency HC injection kit |
Kit for patients with Addison’s disease or high risk due to long term steroid use. Dose to be recommended by specialist. |
| HYDROXYCARBAMIDE (UPDATED) | Red | Myeloproliferative disorders, sickle cell anaemia |
Hydroxycarbamide Prescribing Update and Retirement of Shared Care Agreement (SCA) |
| ICOSAPENT ETHYL (Vazkepa ®) (UPDATED) | Green | Raised triglycerides in patients with CVD | |
| Inbrija | Yellow | Indicated for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (1) | |
| INCLISIRAN (Leqvio®) | Green | Treating primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia. SECONDARY PREVENTION ONLY as per NICE TA733 |
For prescribers who feel competent to use this medication. In line with NICE TA733. For further related guidance please see the Cardiovascular Guidelines page. This page also includes an interim inclisiran pathway.
|
| INSULIN ASPART (Fiasp®) (UPDATED) | Green | Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus in adults |
Conditional on prescriber being competent to select appropriate patients. Fiasp (insulin aspart) FlexTouch 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens have been out of stock since 31st March 2024 and have subsequently been discontinued. Prescribers should not initiate patients on Fiasp FlexTouch 100units/ml pre-filled pens and should instead consider Fiasp Penfill cartridges where reusable pens are available as sufficient cartridges to support increased demand. In UHL where access to reusuable pens is limited following SBAR should be followed: SBAR Fiasp® |
| INSULIN DEGLUDEC (Tresiba®) (UPDATED) | Green | Diabetes mellitus in adults |
Conditional on prescriber being trained to select appropriate patients Tresiba (insulin degludec) FlexTouch 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens have been out of stock since 31st July 2023 and have subsequently been discontinued. Prescribers should not initiate patients on Tresiba FlexTouch 100units/ml pre-filled pens and should instead consider Tresiba Penfill cartridges where reusable pens are available as sufficient cartridges to support increased demand. In the community, reusable pens are normally issued at same time as initial cartridge prescription. UHL continue to have no supplies of the reusable pens so will need to follow the SBAR with respect to changing to higher strength flextouch for Tresiba. In UHL where access to reusable pens is limited following SBAR should be followed Tresiba® Flextouch SBAR |
| INSULIN DETEMIR (Levemir®) (UPDATED) | Green |
Patients should not be initiated on any Levemir® product as it is being discontinued, with stock anticipated to last until 31st December 2026. In primary care follow the circulated SBAR to identify, review and switch patients to an alternative insulin. A widespread switch should not be initiated and alternative insulins will need to be chosen on an individual patient basis. |
|
| KETAMINE | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team.
|
| KETOROLAC | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| LABETOLOL (NEW) | Orange | Hypertension in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| LANREOTIDE | Green | Palliative Care |
Link to Palliative Care Guidelines |
| LEFLUNOMIDE (UPDATED) | Orange | Rheumatological disease | |
| LEUPRORELIN (UPDATED) | Green | Prostate cancer (subcutaneous injection for patients at risk of haematoma) |
GP can give first injection to patients in whom anti-androgen treatment has been started by secondary care clinician. Regulation restricts the prescribing and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones to children and young people under 18 |
| LEVETIRACETAM | Yellow | Control of seizures in palliative care medicine |
To be used on recommendation from specialist palliative care team only. |
| LISDEXAMFETAMINE DIMESYLATE (UPDATED) | Orange | ADHD when response to methylphenidate is inadequate |
Adults Children and adolescents |
| LISINOPRIL (UPDATED) | Orange | Hypertension, heart failure & aortic stenosis/regurgitation in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| LITHIUM SALTS | Orange | Mania, Bipolar Disorder, Recurrent Depression or Aggressive or Self-mutilating behaviour. | |
| LOSARTAN (UPDATED) | Orange | Hypertension and connective tissue disorders in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| LURASIDONE | Yellow | schizophrenia | |
| MELATONIN (doses of 10mg daily or less) | Yellow | Sleep disorders in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), autism, visual impairment, learning difficulties, developmental delay and Smith-Magenis syndrome, as outlined in LLR APC guidance. Continued in adults if proven efficacy in childhood |
Yellow only applies to the products stated in the LLR APC guidance. Other formulations are secondary care only. |
| MELATONIN M/R (doses of 10mg daily or less) (UPDATED) | Yellow | Sleep disorders in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), autism, visual impairment, learning difficulties, developmental delay and Smith-Magenis syndrome, as outlined in LLR APC guidance. Continued in adults if proven efficacy in childhood |
Yellow only applies to the products stated in the LLR APC guidance. Other formulations are secondary care only. |
| MEMANTINE (UPDATED) | Green | Alzheimer's Disease |
GPs may initiate memantine in patients already established on treatment in memory services and stabilised on a cholinesterase inhibitor. The aim is to reduce pressure on memory clinics, freeing up capacity to assess new This change is permissive, not mandatory. No clinician is expected to prescribe outside In line with the NICE NG 97 & The Dementia Prescribing Guide |
| MERCAPTOPURINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease) | |
| MERCAPTOPURINE (UPDATED) | Orange | Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease) & Autoimmune Hepatitis | |
| METHADONE | Yellow | Palliative care in line with palliative care guidance. |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| METHENAMINE HIPPURATE (NEW) | Green | UTI prevention in women. |
Prescribing as per LLR Guidelines on Management of Lower Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Adults. |
| METHOTREXATE Oral (UPDATED) | Orange | Rheumatological disease |
Always prescribe oral Methotrexate in multiples of 2.5mg tablet strength. The 10mg tablets must NOT be prescribed or supplied. |
| METHOTREXATE Oral (UPDATED) | Orange | Dermatological disease |
Always prescribe oral Methotrexate in multiples of 2.5mg tablet strength. The 10mg tablets must NOT be prescribed or supplied |
| METHOTREXATE Oral (UPDATED) | Orange | Crohn's Disease |
Always prescribe oral Methotrexate in multiples of 2.5mg tablet strength. The 10mg tablets must NOT be prescribed or supplied |
| METHYLNATREXONE | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance. |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| METHYLPHENIDATE | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| METHYLPHENIDATE (UPDATED) | Orange | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)- prescribe CR formulation by brand name only |
For information about products please see relevant Shared Care. |
| METHYLPHENIDATE (UPDATED) | Orange | Excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy | |
| METOPROLOL (NEW) | Orange | Hypertension & Arrhythmias in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| MIDAZOLAM buccal | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance. |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| MIRABEGRON | Green | Symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency and urge incontinence |
In line with Overactive Bladder Pathway |
| MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL (UPDATED) | Orange | Autoimmune conditions |
Please see shared care agreement for individual indications |
| NALOXONE | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance. |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| Nebulised therapies for use at home | Yellow | Asthma and COPD |
Exception palliative care Please see nebuliser guidance and MHRA alert |
| OCTREOTIDE | Yellow | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| OLANZAPINE | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| OLANZAPINE Oral | Yellow | Schizophrenia. Combination therapy for mania. Preventing recurrence in bipolar disorder. Monotherapy for mania. Control of agitation and disturbed behaviour in schizophrenia or mania. Personality disorder. |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
| OMEGA-3 ACID ETHYL ESTERS (Omacor®) | Green | Hypertriglyceridaemia |
In line with LLR lipid pathway |
| OMEPRAZOLE DISPERSIBLE (UPDATED) | Green |
2nd line choice dispersible PPI |
|
| ONDANSETRON (SC) | Yellow | For use in palliative care medicine. |
Initiation / recommendation via specialist palliative care team only. |
| OXYBUTYNIN patch | Green | Symptomatic treatment of urge incontinence in unstable bladder |
For use only in patients who cannot take oral medication See Overactive bladder pathway |
| PALIPERIDONE PALMITATE Long-Acting Injection | Yellow | Maintenance in schizophrenia in patients previously responsive to risperidone. |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
| PENICILLAMINE | Orange | Rheumatoid arthritis | |
| PHENAZONE WITH LIDOCAINE EAR DROP (Otigo®) (NEW) | Green | Otitis Media (if an immediate antibiotic is not given, and there is no eardrum perforation or otorrhoea) |
To be used in line with Primary Care Antimicrobial Policy & Guidance. |
| PROPRANOLOL (NEW) | Orange | Hypertension, arrhythmias & Tetralogy of Fallot in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| QUETIAPINE | Yellow | Schizophrenia. Mania (either alone or in combination with mood stabilisers). Depression in bipolar disorder. Adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder. Personality disorder. | |
| QUETIAPINE | Green | Palliative care in line with guidance. |
Conditional on recommendation from palliative care team. |
| RELUGOLIX–ESTRADIOL–NORETHISTERONE (Ryeqo ®) (UPDATED) | Yellow | For treating moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids in adults of reproductive age. |
Initial 6 month prescription via specialist team before being transferred. DEXA scan arranged by secondary care at 1 year. In line with NICE TA832 |
| RISPERIDONE LONG-ACTING INJECTION (Risperdal Consta®) | Yellow | Schizophrenia and other psychoses in patients tolerant to oral risperidone. |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
| RISPERIDONE Oral | Yellow | Acute and chronic psychoses. Mania. Short term (up to 6 weeks) of persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe AD. Short term (up to 6 weeks) treatment of persistent aggression in conduct disorder. Personality disorder. |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
| RIVAROXABAN | Green | Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation | |
| SODIUM ZIRCONIUM CYCLOSILICATE (Lokelma®) (UPDATED) | Yellow | Chronic hyperkalaemia in CKD |
In line with NICE TA599. Use in line with the CKD pathway |
| SPF 50+ SUNSCREEN PREPARATIONS (Anthelios) (NEW) | Green | Borderline Substance: only for patients with photosensitive disorder with widespread dysplastic lesions and/or a history of skin cancer |
Restricted Green. Patients should be encouraged to purchase sun screens OTC as per LLR Self-Care Guidelines |
| SPIRONOLACTONE (UPDATED) | Orange | Oedema in heart failure, hypertension and reduction of hypokalaemia induced by diuretics in children. |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| SULFASALAZINE | Orange | Rheumatological disease | |
| SULFASALAZINE ORAL & RECTAL | Orange | Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease |
Shared care request is mandatory |
| SULPIRIDE | Yellow | Schizophrenia | |
| TEICOPLANIN | Green | Cellulitis (in primary care) |
To be used in conjunction with the Cellulitis-Teicoplanin Pathway |
| TESTOSTERONE | Orange | Replacement therapy in children and adolescents | |
| TIOTROPIUM (Braltus Zonda®) | Green | COPD |
Use in line with Leicestershire LAMA Prescribing Guide
|
| TRIPTORELIN (UPDATED) | Yellow | Precocious puberty |
Regulation restricts the prescribing and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones to children and young people under 18
|
| TRIPTORELIN | Green | Prostatic carcinoma |
GP can give first injection to patients in whom anti-androgen treatment has been started by secondary care clinician. |
| TYPICAL ORAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS | Yellow | See individual entries | |
| VENLAFAXINE | Green | Depression (All doses) |
SBAR: Change to Venlafaxine Shared Care Arrangements Dose-related increases in blood pressure have been commonly reported with venlafaxine. All patients should be carefully screened for high blood pressure and pre-existing hypertension should be controlled before initiation of treatment. Blood pressure should be reviewed periodically, after initiation of treatment and after dose increases. |
| WARFARIN (NEW) | Orange | Anticoagulant in children |
In line with SCA: Paediatric Cardiology Medications |
| ZUCLOPENTHIXOL DECANOATE (Clopixol® Depot and Clopixol® Conc.) | Yellow | Schizophrenia | |
| ZUCLOPENTHIXOL ORAL | Yellow | Schizophrenia and other psychoses |
See the LLR Antipsychotic Prescribing Guide |
Other Updates on this Website
Recent documents from LLR APC and TAS
LLR ICB Position Statement on Prescribing Medicines Available to Purchase Over the Counter for Minor and Self‑Limiting Conditions(155 KB)
Date added: 30th Mar 2026
Respiratory Prescribing Group Minutes January 2026(205 KB)
Date added: 29th Mar 2026
Preparing to use denosumab 60mg biosimilar(161 KB)
Date added: 16th Mar 2026
Preparing to use denosumab 120mg biosimilar(163 KB)
Date added: 16th Mar 2026
LLRAPC Newsletter – February 2026(780 KB) - LMSG/LLR APC newsletters
Date added: 11th Mar 2026
LLR APC Minutes 2025(3 MB) - LMSG/LLR APC minutes
Date added: 9th Mar 2026
LLR APC Meeting Minutes – February 2026(423 KB) - LMSG/LLR APC minutes
Date added: 9th Mar 2026
Leflunomide Rheumatology Shared Care Request Form National Format(69 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Mycophenolate Rheumatology Shared Care Request Form National Format(69 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Mycophenolate Dermatology Shared Care Request Form National Format(69 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Mycophenolate Neurology Shared Care Request Form National Format(68 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Mycophenolate Respiratory Shared Care Request Form National Format(69 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Methotrexate Rheumatology Request Form(70 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Methotrexate Adult Gastroenterology Request Form(69 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Methotrexate dermatology request form(163 KB)
Date added: 5th Mar 2026
Opioid Prescribing Guide For Non-Cancer Pain(537 KB) - Guidelines
Date added: 4th Sep 2024
Methotrexate Rheumatology/Dermatology/Gastroenterology SCA(523 KB) - Shared care agreement
Date added: 29th Dec 2022
LLR Guidance Self Care for Minor Ailments and Self Limiting Conditions(717 KB) - Guidelines
Date added: 18th Apr 2019
Leflunomide Shared Care Agreement(465 KB) - Shared care agreement
Date added: 4th May 2016
About the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Area Prescribing Committee
In common with other local health communities, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Area Prescribing Committee (LLR APC) acknowledges the benefits of having a Leicestershire Health Community-wide strategy for the prescribing of specialist medicines and the managed entry of new drugs and related technologies.
Leicestershire Health Community comprises the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), amongst which there is a total consensus on the need for this strategy, and the LLR APC has been in place since 2005. Learn more