Syringe Driver Survey Database migration to MedicinesComplete - January 2023

Syringe Driver Survey Database has moved to MedicinesComplete and is no longer available on palliativedrugs.com.

It has been renamed to PCF’s Syringe Driver Database and is now accessed through Drug Compatibility Checker.

Drug Compatibility Checker, through MedicinesComplete is a new tool providing essential compatibility knowledge to support the administration of injectable drugs combining published data and clinical practice reports.

Find out more about Drug Compatibility Checker:https://about.medicinescomplete.com/publication/drug-compatibility-checker/

If you have a subscription to Palliative Care Formulary through MedicinesComplete, you will have access to PCF’s Syringe Driver Database through Drug Compatibility Checker, at no charge through 2023. 

To contribute to PCF’s Syringe Driver Database please continue to submit a clinical practice report using palliativedrugs.com here: https://www.palliativedrugs.com/syringe-driver-database.html

To learn more about a subscription to the Palliative Care Formulary through MedicinesComplete, please contact us here: https://info.medicinescomplete.com/sales

If you have any questions regarding access to PCF’s Syringe Driver Database or would like to renew your subscription to Palliative Care Formulary, please contact pharmpress-support@rpharms.com.

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BNF changes to haloperidol maximum dose

22nd July 2014

In May 2014, the BNF changed the PO dosing schedule of haloperidol for the treatment of schizophrenia, mania and psychoses, and reduced the maximum recommended PO dose to 20mg/day in divided doses. This was in line with changes in the Haldol SPC (Janssen) that were made in line with recent studies that used lower doses of antipyschotics due to the known risk of QT prolongation and other adverse effects.

At the time, the maximum dose of the IM formulation was not updated. In addition, the situation was complicated by the discontinuation of the Haldol brand of haloperidol tablets and injection (note generic versions of all formulations remain).

Following queries, the BNF has now also reduced the maximum IM dose from 20mg/day to 12mg/day in divided doses, based on the fact that the bioavailability of PO haloperidol is generally accepted to be approximately 60% of IM haloperidol.

The BNF notes that some of the generic SPCs for both the oral and IM formulations have not yet been amended and have highlighted this inconsistency to the MHRA. In the meantime, they have noted that BNF doses may differ from the product literature. 

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