Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

Medicines Update

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

Please note, Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.

Medicines Update blogs remain on the website for 4 years. If you would like a copy of a blog published more than 4 years ago, please contact ggc.medicines.update@nhs.scot

Click here for a promotional poster on Medicines Update and here for an animation on the Communications subcommittee of ADTC responsible for the development of Medicines Update.

If you would like to contribute to Medicines Update, click here for a guide to blog writing. When you email the committee to discuss writing a blog, you will be sent a checklist to complete prior to submitting the blog for review.

What’s new in migraine? Oral Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Antagonists

Posted: Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Category - Medicines Update

  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide which is involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. 
  • Two new oral CGRP small molecule antagonists – rimegepant and atogepant - have recently been added to the GGC Adult Medicines Formulary and can be initiated by non-specialists in primary care.
  • Patients must have had prior failure of three or more migraine preventative treatments before rimegepant or atogepant can be considered.
  • This blog summarises the key information on these two medicines and some common clinical questions which may occur. For full details on when to prescribe, refer to NHSGGC Guidance on Pharmacological Prophylaxis of Migraine in Adults

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here

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NHS Prescribing at request of private healthcare provider

Posted: Thursday, November 21, 2024

Category - Medicines Update

If individuals opt for private healthcare treatment or assessment, they are still entitled to NHS services. The NHSGGC Central Prescribing Team are often asked by GPs what they should do if a patient requests a medicine following consultation with a private healthcare provider. This blog provides some advice.

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here

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Polypharmacy Review in Adults living with Moderate to Severe Frailty – Use of Cognitive enhancers, Analgesics and Anti-emetics in Patients with Dementia

Posted: Friday, November 1, 2024

Category - Medicines Update

Key messages

  • Do not routinely stop cognitive enhancers as may cause a decline in symptom control.
  • Pain can present as a change in behaviour or distress in patients with dementia.
  • NSAIDs should ideally be avoided in older people due to increased risk of adverse effects.
  • Anti-emetics can have a high anticholinergic burden - review indication and consider stopping if appropriate.
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