Polycal Powder dissolves readily in hot and cold drinks. It has a neutral taste and can therefore be added to both sweet and savoury foods or drinks without significantly altering flavour or texture. It is also suitable for use in cooking. In hospital, liquidused for the Glucose Tolerance Test. 75g of glucose can be given as 113ml Polycal® liquid diluted with water to a total volume of 200-300ml (see BNF).

Once opened, use contents within 1 month. Replace lid firmly after use. Prepare the food per serving and use within 2 hours. bottle of POLYCAL [manufactured by Nutricia Clinical Care] - 113 mL of Polycal is equivalent to 75g of anhydrous glucose. Full patient identification on sample tubes and request card should include surname, forename, date of birth and NHS or hospital number as well as the sample date and time. Grey / Non-Formulary: Medicines, which the Nottinghamshire APC has actively reviewed and does not recommend for use at present due to limited clinical and/or cost effective data. Polycal Powder is fat and protein free and low in minerals so is suitable for patents with such dietary restrictions. It is also free from sucrose, lactose, fructose and galactose, so is suitable for patients with such carbohydrate intolerances.

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Prior agreement must be obtained by the specialist from the primary care provider before prescribing responsibility is transferred. The shared care protocol must have been agreed by the relevant secondary care trust Drugs and Therapeutics Committee(s) (DTC) and approved by the Nottinghamshire APC. Sugar content reduced by 50% from 1st April 2017 so no longer recommended for glucose tolerance tests - consider Polycal®.

Medicines that should be initiated by a specialist and prescribed by primary care prescribers only under a shared care protocol, once the patient has been stabilised. Important notice and declarationBreast milk is best for babies. Professional advice should be followed before using an infant formula. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breast feeding. Good maternal nutrition is important for breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed may be difficult. Infant formula should always be used as directed. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of feeding.

Do you need support?

A supporting prescribing guideline may be requested which must have been agreed by the relevant secondary care trust DTCs and approved by the Nottinghamshire APC. No new patients to receive prescriptions in primary care. Patients already receiving Red Medicines in primary care should be handled on a case by case basis with the support of the Medicines Optimisation team.