Shared Care Agreement Updates: Melatonin, methotrexate, denosumab
Melatonin
New Shared Care Agreements (SCAs) have been approved for the use of melatonin in sleep disorder in children and adults.
The new SCAs recommend the use of three formulations of melatonin on the basis of cost, licence status and availability via wholesalers. These products are all licensed medicinal products and provide enough flexibility in terms of dose titration and method of administration to suit the majority of patient circumstances.
The three products recommended for prescription are:
- melatonin immediate release 3mg film coated tablets
- melatonin 2mg MR tablets
- melatonin 1mg/1ml oral solution sugar free
Use of unlicensed “specials” of melatonin is no longer recommended in NHSGGC unless an individual patient has an identified special requirement for such a product.
Methotrexate
The SCA for methotrexate for use in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis or severe psoriatic arthritis, and the associated letter template, have been updated and are available on the SCA webpage.
Denosumab
The SCA for denosumab for treatment of oesteoporosis in post-menopausal women, and the associated local patient information leaflet, have also been updated and are available on the SCA webpage.
Published 17/08/2021. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.