Unlicensed Liquid Medicines for Children – use of non-standard strengths

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Analysis of prescribing of unlicensed liquid medicines for children across NECS-linked CCGs in the North of England has revealed considerable use of ‘non-standard‘ strengths – i.e. strengths other than those recommended by the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH) and theĀ Neonatal & Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG).

The table below lists the ten unlicensed liquid medicines most frequently prescribed for children across NECS-linked CCGs, with the proportion prescribed at one of the RCPCH/NPPG standard strengths listed in the BNFC.

Liquid MedicinePrescriptions for children @ Standard Strength
Melatonin88%
Omeprazole21%
Spironolactone50%
Chloral Hydrate1%
Hydrocortisone93%
Midazolam Maleate0%
Phenobarbital65%
Azathioprine98%
Clopidogrel6%
Tacrolimus100%