BNFC January 2026 Update

Significant Changes:

• Aciclovir: new dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella zoster infection.
• Azithromycin: updated indication and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and new indication and dose for gonococcal conjunctivitis.
• Budesonide with formoterol (Symbicort 100/6 Turbohaler®): updated dosing for asthma, maintenance and reliever therapy.
• Cefixime: updated indications and dose for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and disseminated gonococcal infection.
• Cefotaxime: deleted indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
• Ceftriaxone: updated indication for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and updated indications and dose for disseminated gonococcal infections.
• Cefuroxime: new indication and dose for gonococcal conjunctivitis.
• Ciprofloxacin: updated indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
• Genital system infections, antibacterial therapy: updated guidance for management of gonorrhoea: uncomplicated.
• Herpesvirus infections: updated guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis against chickenpox or shingles.
• Immunoglobulins: updated guidance for uses of normal immunoglobulin and varicella-zoster immunoglobulin.
• Life support algorithm (image): newborn life support algorithm, paediatric basic life support algorithm, paediatric out-of-hospital basic life support algorithm, and paediatric advanced life support algorithm images updated.
• Normal immunoglobulin: new dosing for post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella-zoster infection.
• Ofloxacin: deleted indication and dose for disseminated gonococcal infection.
• Varicella-zoster vaccines: updated guidance for pre-exposure prophylaxis against varicella (chickenpox).

Dose Changes:

• Aciclovir [update to neonate dose for varicella zoster (chickenpox), treatment].
• Amiodarone hydrochloride [update to dose for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia refractory to defibrillation [for cardiopulmonary resuscitation]].
• Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin [update to indications and dose].
• Varicella-zoster vaccine [update to dose interval for immunisation against varicella infection (chickenpox) for children aged 1 year and older].

New Monographs:

• Skyclarys® [omaveloxolone].

New Preparations: Varitect CP® [varicella-zoster immunoglobulin]

Deleted Preparations: Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin solution for injection (Bio Products Laboratory).