Formulary

2.5.1 Vasodilator antihypertensive drugs

First Line
Second Line
Specialist
Hospital Only
Hydralazine
  • Tablets 25mg, 50mg (£8.80 = 50mg four times a day)
  • Injection 20mg (dry powder)

Indications

  • Heart failure (with long-acting nitrate) when an ACE inhibitor is contra-indicated or not tolerated
Bosentan
  • Tablets 62.5mg, 125mg

Indication

  • Treatment of digital ulceration (DU) in systemic sclerosis in adults

Notes

  1. NHS England (NHSE) will commission sildenafil and bosentan for patients requiring treatment of digital ulceration in systemic sclerosis in adults, in accordance with the criteria outlined in the NHSE Commissioning Policy
    1. Patients requiring treatment with bosentan will be referred by their usual consultant rheumatologist for an opinion from a specialised rheumatology centre