THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been advised that hypertension drug Presolol 100 (labetalol hydrochloride 100mg) tablets will remain in shortage until mid-Nov 2025 due to manufacturing issues, and has extended the Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) to 31 Dec 2025.
Presolol 200 (labetalol hydrochloride 200mg) tablets are still available, and pharmacists are able to substitute prescribed labetalol 100mg with the 200mg tablet without prior approval of the prescriber, as per the SSSI.
Pharmacists are encouraged to use their professional and clinical judgement to determine whether substitution is suitable for a patient and to gain their consent.
Patients must be instructed on how to take the substitute tablet, or referred to their prescriber for guidance.
If substitution is not appropriate - for example, due to concerns around dexterity or cognitive capacity - patients should be referred to their prescriber.
More information is HERE.
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