Prescribing Advice for GPs

April NICE Guidance

April 23, 2009 at 9:04 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | No Comments

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence has published new guidance for the month of April.

There are two guidelines that may impact on primary care, a clinical guideline on diarrhoea and vomiting in children under 5 and another clinical guideline on glaucoma.

The former guidelines covers the diagnosis, assessment of dehydration, fluid management, nutritional management and the role of antibiotics and other therapies in treating diarrhoea and vomiting in children under 5. The guideline also dispels the commonly held view that sugary drinks such as flat cola and lemonade aids in recovery; in fact this strategy may worsen symptoms. This aspect of the guidance has been widely reported in the media (BBC).

The latter guideline details the diagnosis, treatment and care of:

• adults with a diagnosis of the condition known as chronic open angle glaucoma
• adults with a diagnosis of ocular hypertension
• adults who are at a high risk of developing glaucoma

Action: Clinicians who see and treat children under 5 or adults with eye problems will find this information useful.