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Specialist conditions

Specialist conditions FAQ

How to manage treatment for specialist conditions? (updated 15 April 2020)

Treatment should ultimately be managed by a specialist, however for your information NICE have published 2 rapid guidelines:

Specialist conditions resources

NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline (NG167 updated 2 July 2020): rheumatological autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic bone disorders which includes management of patients not known/ known or suspected to have COVID-19, treatment considerations for patients on NSAIDs, corticosteroids and denosumab 

  • For the majority of patients on immunosuppressants for inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis they will be advised (by their specialist) to continue treatment unless their develop symptoms of flu or coronavirus- then the specialist should be contacted for further advice
  • Patients are advised to take precautions to avoid infection through good personal hygiene and avoiding unnecessary close contact with people who are unwell.
  • If patients still have concerns about continuing the medication, they should speak to the medical team.
  • If patients are at an increased risk of infection, for example, if they have been in direct contact with an infected individual, have travelled to a high infectivity area, or have another serious comorbidity that increases the risk further, they should seek advice from their medical team by telephone before making any changes to their medication.

NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline: interstitial lung disease (NG177 May 2020)

  • This includes information on management of medicines in both patients not known or known or suspected to have COVID-19

MHRA Immunomodulatory drugs and pregnancy prevention: temporary advice for management during coronavirus (COVID-19) drugs include thalidomide lenalidomide and pomalidomide which should be prescribed by specialists only 

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