Central Nervous System

Hypnotics

• zopiclone – added a note about a usual starting dose of 3.75 mg
• flumazenil (benzodiazepine antagonist) – added a dose
• clonazepam – added a minimum dosing interval

Antipsychotic Drugs

• long acting/modified release injections are available for some antipsychotics and must not be confused with the other injectable forms – added a note
• haloperidol – added a QT prolongation note
• clozapine – added a note about prescribing a regular laxative and a note about TDM

Antidepressant drugs

• fluoxetine – changed upper dose in range from 80 mg to 60 mg/day
• venlafaxine – changed upper dose in range from 150 mg to 225 mg/day
• mirtazapine – removed PHARMAC restriction comment as no longer restricted.

Central Nervous System Stimulants

• methylphenidate – added trade names to minimise confusion

Antiepileptics

• lacosamide – added
• levetiracetam – increased upper limit of iv dose

Dopaminergic Drugs used in Parkinsonism

• different formulations of levodopa combinations have different durations of action – added a note
• levodopa combinations – changed dose information to initial doses
• lisuride – removed as delisted by PHARMAC

Drugs used in Neuromuscular Disorders

• pyridostigmine – added an upper dose comment
• dantrolene – added a malignant hyperthermia iv dose

Infections

Cephalosporins

• cefotaxime – deleted
• cefepime – deleted

Other Beta-lactams – carbapenems

• imipenem + cilastatin – deleted
• ertapenem – added

Other antimicrobials

• fusidate sodium – deleted
• nitrofurantoin – adjusted the use in renal dysfunction comment
• rifampicin – added
• vancomycin – changed lower dose in dose range

Quinolones

• norfloxacin – deleted

Antifungal Drugs

• amphotericin B (liposomal) – deleted
• itraconazole – adjusted the absorption comment

Antiviral Drugs

• Some antivirals sound very similar – added a note
• valaciclovir – added
• Hepatitis treatment – added note for hepatitis B and to consult about Hepatitis C drugs

Endocrine System

• warfarin – clarified different brands and added an alert

Insulin

• Mixed insulins – added note about mixed insulins not being equivalent

Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs

• levothyroxine – removed the note about different brands not being interchangeable

Male Sex Hormones and Antagonists

• cyproterone – increased upper dose in range

Drugs affecting Bone Metabolism

• zoledronic acid – added clarification around indication for each formulation

Pharmacology Guidelines

Routes of Administration

• Intravenous (IV) – added clarification around single vs. multiple lumens

Drug-Food Interactions

• reviewed

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

• Table – added all included in TDM profiles

Drug-Drug Interactions

• Drugs commonly involved in interactions – removed

Drug Metabolism and Transport

• CYP enzymes – throughout re-organised substrates, split inhibitors into strong and moderate (with definitions) and included only significant inducers (with definition)
• transporters – added comment about the effect of inhibitors and inducers