Preface

The ninth edition of the Neonatal Formulary has been designed to provide up to date, referenced advice on the prescribing of drugs, and their safe and accurate administration during pregnancy, labour, and the first year of life. While the book’s focus is on the baby, many drugs that are given to women during pregnancy or lactation have the potential to impact on the fetus or baby. This compendium therefore also gives advice on maternal medications both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. The number of drugs used in late pregnancy and the first few weeks of life continues to rise rapidly, although, in many cases, manufacturers have not yet sought market authorization to recommend neonatal use. Use of medications that are either not licensed or, if they are licensed, are used for indications out with the terms of their product license (‘off label’) is common in neonatal units. While a lot of general information on drugs may be given in the manufacturer’s summary of product characteristics (SmPC), advice on use in young children is often non-existent.