Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

Latest Medicines Updates & News

Bleeding risk with SSRIs/SNRIs in combination with NSAIDs, OACs and LMWH

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Category - Medicines Update

Key Messages

  • The increased risk of bleeding observed with the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and SSRIs and oral anticoagulants (OACs) is higher than with use of each medicine class alone.
  • The evidence for serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g. venlafaxine and duloxetine) is limited, however due to the similar effects on serotonin, the same advice given for SSRIs should be followed.
  • The combination of SSRIs and NSAIDs is not recommended; if this is unavoidable, a formulary choice Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) should be used (Refer to the GGC PPI Guidelines and NSAID Guidelines).
  • Due to the increased risk of major bleeding with concomitant SSRIs and OACs, consider individual patient factors before co-prescribing; if clinically appropriate, prescribe a formulary choice PPI.
  • The evidence for increased risk of bleeding in the combination of an SSRI and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is limited. When deciding if a PPI is necessary, an individual patient’s additional risk factors should be considered.
  • For patients on any of the above combinations, risk factors should be monitored and managed to improve safety outcomes.

 

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Antidepressants, benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics: Quality Prescribing Advice and Resources

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Category - Medicines Update

Key messages: 

  • Antidepressant prescribing continues to rise, while benzodiazepine and z-hypnotic (B-Z) prescribing is reducing slowly, and long-term use remains an issue.
  • Proactively reviewing antidepressant and B-Z prescribing aligns with a range of NHSGGC prescribing initiatives and National Therapeutic Indicators (NTIs).
  • Proactive medication reviews, when patients are stable and not experiencing crises, may be lacking and leads to medicines being continued inappropriately.
  • Toolkits to support reviews are now available on Right Decision Service (antidepressants and B-Zs).

 

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GGC Medicine Prescribing and Administration Resources

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Category - Medicines Update

Key messages: 

  • NHSGGC has various online clinical resources designed to aid safe prescribing and administration of medicines. The resources detailed in this blog should be your first port of call when looking for information.
  • Search engines may find clinical information that is out-of-date or not relevant for use in NHSGGC. Using a search engine is not advised for finding NHSGGC clinical information, however, if using one, make sure any results you find are relevant to NHSGGC. Including “GGC” in your search term may help narrow down relevant results, but still always check the information is applicable to GGC and that it is the most current guidance.
  • Only use the NHSGGC validated calculators for gentamicin, vancomycin and creatinine clearance (CrCl). These are available within NHSGGC resources (via Clinical Info on Staffnet and the GGC Medicines App). Do not use calculators found elsewhere on the internet, as other health boards’ guidance and dosing may differ.

 

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Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) – Formulary update

Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Category - Medicines Update

Key messages:

  • The NHSGGC Adult Blood Glucose and Combined Ketone Meter and Test Strip Formulary has been updated.
  • The following products for continuous/flash glucose monitoring have been added to the formulary:
  • Continuous/flash glucose monitoring systems are intended to be used as an alternative to routine finger-prick blood glucose monitoring for people who meet the eligibility criteria described in the guidance.
  • The Freestyle Libre 2® and Dexcom One® monitoring systems are being discontinued, patients currently using these systems will be transitioned to Freestyle Libre 2 Plus® or Dexcom One+®.
  • Specialist diabetes teams and Primary Care teams will facilitate changes to repeat prescriptions and offer support to patients if needed when they change product.

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Formulary Update February 2025

Posted: Monday, February 24, 2025

Category - Formulary Update

This post summarises the latest NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde decisions relating to new medicines assessed by SMC and considered by the Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee (ADTC) and uses a nationally developed format specifically aimed for patients and the public.

For full details of the medicines included in this post that are available for use, including any restrictions on prescribing, please see the relevant entry in the GGC Formulary.

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Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide) for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Posted: Friday, February 21, 2025

Category - Medicines Update

Key messages:

 

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How can I contribute to Medicines Update?

Posted: Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Category - Medicines Update

GGC Medicines Update is a series of blogs with important medicines related messages relevant to all healthcare professionals across NHSGGC.

If you are a healthcare professional in NHSGGC and you would like to contribute to Medicines Update, we would love to hear from you.

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