{"id":923,"date":"2026-04-07T11:21:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/diabetesservice\/?page_id=923"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:32:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:32:51","slug":"prescribing-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/diabetesservice\/information-for-health-professionals\/prescribing-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Prescribing Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For further information on medications shortages please click the following link: <\/strong>Primary Care and Community Pharmacy Shortages<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latest Updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Resolution to GLP1 shortages<\/a><\/h3> <\/div>\n

There are currently no shortages of GLP1s that we are aware of, therefore there is no longer a restriction on starting new patients on GLP1s if they meet the criteria for 3rd line treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. If semaglutide (orally as Rybelsus or via injection as Ozempic), dulaglutide (Trulicity) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Guidance on Humulin M3 vial and Humalog Mix 25 vial shortages<\/a><\/h3> <\/div>\n

Situation\/Background: There is a supply problem with Humulin M3 Vials.  Resupply dates are now anticipated to be mid-June 2024. Initially a temporary switch to Humalog Mix 25 Vial was recommended as an alternative while Humulin M3 Vials were unavailable but now there is a supply problem with Humalog Mix 25 Vials. Resupply dates are currently anticipated to be<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Humalog Insulin Shortages<\/a><\/h3> <\/div>\n

The latest medication shortage for diabetes now involves insulin – namely Humalog 10ml vials and Humulin M3. The former is usually prescribed for people on insulin pumps and the latter is most commonly used in older people with Type 2 diabetes (especially in care homes). As you will see from the attached guidance: For Humalog<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Lothian Steroid Safety Bundle -Amendments Nov 2023<\/a><\/h3> <\/div>\n

Following the launch of the guidance for the management of long term high dose steroid therapy – ‘Steroid Safety Bundle’ in June 2023, there has been some amendments. The most recent version of this guidance can be found here – Steroid Safety Bundle: Management of long term high dose steroid therapy . The amendments are<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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New updated Primary Care Prescribing Guidance for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes<\/a><\/h3> <\/div>\n

A new updated “Oral Anti-Diabetic Therapy Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” prescribing algorithm has been developed. This is very similar to the algorithm published in 2021. The main differences are:  1.  Prescribing of SGLT-2 inhibitors is simplified with Dapagliflozin replacing Empagliflozin\/Canagliflozin. 2. There is an increased focus on cardiorenal protection. In essence, for people<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Glucose-Lowering Therapies<\/h2>
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NHS Lothian Guidance on Anti-Diabetic Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This guidance should be used by Healthcare Professionals as an aid to prescribing in Type 2 Diabetes and is supplementary the East Region Formulary. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Dr Marcus Lyall – NHS Lothian<\/p>\n\n\n\n