Related guidance:
Food allergy in under 19s: assessment and diagnosis Clinical guideline (CG116 February 2011)
Drug allergy: diagnosis and management Clinical guideline (CG183 September 2014)
Hayfever or allergic rhinitis: treatment during pregnancy (SPS January 2022)
For nasal allergy see NHS Somerset Formulary Ear, Nose and Oropharynx.
The use of first generation antihistamines in older people is potentially inappropriate. See STOPP/START criteria for potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people: version 2 (Age and Aging 2015)
| Therapeutic Area | Formulary Choices | Cost for 28 (unless otherwise stated) | Rationale for decision / comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antihistamines: non-sedating |  Loratadine - suitable for self-care | 10mg tablet: £0.86 (30) 5mg/5ml sugar free solution: £2.85(100ml) | First line |
| Cetirizine - suitable for self-care | 10mg tablet: £0.82 (30) 5mg/5ml sugar free solution: £17.16 (200ml) |
||
| Desloratadine | 5mg tablet: £5.33 (30) 2.5mg/5ml sugar free solution: £21.17 (150ml) | Second line | |
| Antihistamines: sedating | Chlorphenamine - suitable for self-care | 4mg tablets: £3.61 2mg/5ml sugar free solution: £2.21 (150ml) | |
| Anaphylaxis | Adrenaline | See our Allergies webpage for information, resources and guidance including NHS Somerset ICB: Adrenaline Auto-Injector advice on use for GPs and patients Adrenaline auto-injectors: reminder for prescribers to support safe and effective use. See MHRA Drug Safety Update (November 2021) It is recommended that patients are prescribed two pens which they should carry at all times. Patients asked to return Emerade 300 and 500 microgram adrenaline pens for replacement. See MHRA Press release (May 2023) |
|
| as EpiPen Jr® | Solution for injection auto-injector 150micrograms/0.3ml (1 in 2,000): £34.30 | Children 7.5-25 kg | |
| as EpiPen® | Solution for injection auto-injector 300micrograms/0.3ml (1 in 1,000): £34.30 | Adults, and children weighing over 25kg | |
| as Jext® | Solution for injection auto-injector 150micrograms/0.15ml (1 in 1,000): £34.30 300micrograms/0.3ml (1 in 1,000): £34.30 | BNF Update - 8th July 2025: The body-weight ranges for Jext® have been aligned with those of EpiPen® so that all children weighing 25kg and over may be given a dose of 300 micrograms. | |