AMS formulary and prescribing categories
Our formulary lists antimicrobial medicines and their prescribing indications. Prescribing indications are based on Queensland Health’s List of approved medicines (LAM) and our paediatric guidelines for infection management.
We categorise antimicrobial medicines as unrestricted, restricted, or reserved for use. There’s a different approval process to access medicines based on the category. Before you prescribe an antimicrobial medicine check the formulary for its restriction category.
Read our Antimicrobial: prescribing, management and stewardship procedure [PDF 1069.13 KB] to learn more. You can also see the approval process flowchart [PDF 1069.13 KB] on page 5.
Unrestricted (green) antimicrobials
Antimicrobials you can prescribe for a clinically appropriate indication and length of time. You don’t need approval to prescribe unrestricted antimicrobials for standard indications and durations of treatment.
Restricted (amber) antimicrobials
Antimicrobials you can only prescribe for listed indications for a specific time frame. You need approval to prescribe restricted antimicrobials outside of the indications or time frames.
Reserved (red) antimicrobials
Antimicrobials you need approval to prescribe.
Approval and documentation process
If you’re prescribing a reserved or restricted antimicrobial outside of its pre-authorised indication you need:
- approval from the paediatric infection specialist or the infectious diseases (ID) fellow on duty
- to document the unique AMS approval code provided by the paediatric infection specialist or fellow.
You need to document all antimicrobial prescriptions in ieMR and Metavision and include the indication, dose, duration of the treatment and intended review date. Read page 6 of our procedure [PDF 1069.13 KB] for more information.
If the antimicrobial you’re prescribing isn't on Queensland Health's List of approved medicines (LAM) you'll also need individual patient approval (IPA). Queensland Health staff can use our online individual patient approval portal (CGOV) on the intranet to request approval.
Some restricted or reserved antimicrobials might also need Special Access Scheme (SAS) approval. You can apply on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.
Prescribers need to document all approvals in ieMR and Metavision before we can dispense any restricted or reserved medicines. Read page 6 of our procedure [PDF 1069.13 KB] for more information.
Search the antimicrobial formulary
Antimicrobial medicines are listed based on generic name. Individual patient approval with the AMS approval code provided by ID team is required for non LAM use or use outside of pre approved indications.
Antimicrobial name | Approval requirements | Restriction category |
---|---|---|
Amoxicillin (oral/IV) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Amphotericin B lozenges (oral) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Ampicillin IV | Pre-approved for first dose challenge, IDT or SPT and desensitisation by paediatric immunologist or allergist Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Benzathine penicillin (IM) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Benzylpenicillin (IV) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Cefaclor (oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Cefalexin (oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Cefazolin (IV) – inpatient |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Cefiderocol (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Chloramphenicol eyedrops (topical) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Clotrimazole (topical) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Dicloxacillin (IV/oral) |
| Reserved (red) |
Flucloxacillin (IV/oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Framycetin, gramicidin and dexamethasone – Sofradex or Otodex (eardrops) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Metronidazole (oral/IV) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Miconazole (topical) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Nitrofurantoin (oral capsules) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Nystatin (oral or topical) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Permethrin (topical) | Clinically appropriate indications and duration as per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines or CHQ Infection/AMS guidelines | Unrestricted (green) |
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Pyrantel (oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Roxithromycin (150mg oral tablets) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Tinidazole (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Trimethoprim (oral tablets) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (oral) |
| Unrestricted (green) |
Aciclovir (eye ointment) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Aciclovir (topical cream) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Aciclovir (IV/oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Albendazole (oral) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Amoxicillin, clarithromycin and esomeprazole (triple therapy) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Amphotericin (Liposomal) IV (Ambisome) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Azithromycin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Azithromycin (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Cefazolin – with preservative (eyedrops) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Cefazolin (IV) (HITH) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Cefepime (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Cefotaxime (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Cefoxitin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Ceftazidime (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Ceftazidime (intravitreal injection) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required): Upon advice from ophthalmology for Acute management of open globe injuries (1 dose) [PDF 317.58 KB] | Restricted (amber) |
Ceftriaxone (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Ceftriaxone (IV) (HITH) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Cefuroxime (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Chloramphenicol eye ointment | Pre-approved indications: For ophthalmic use only | Restricted (amber) |
Cefazolin intravitreal and intracameral injection | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Ciprofloxacin (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Ciprofloxacin eardrops | Pre-approved indications: | Restricted (amber) |
Ciprofloxacin/hydrocortisone – Ciproxin HC (eardrops) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Clindamycin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Clindamycin (intravitreal/intracameral injection) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Clindamycin (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Colistin (inhaled) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required): | Restricted (amber) |
Dapsone (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Doxycycline (IV – SAS) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Doxycycline (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Erythromycin (IV/oral) | Pre-approved:
| Restricted (amber) |
Famciclovir (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Fluconazole (IV/ oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Gentamicin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Gentamicin eye drops | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Griseofulvin (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Hydroxychloroquine (oral) | Pre-approved indications: For use according to the QH LAM by an authorised prescriber in accordance with the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021 | Restricted (amber) |
Itraconazole (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Lincomycin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Mebendazole (oral) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Minocycline (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Mupirocin (intranasal) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required): For use in according to CHQ management of boils (furunculosis) (MSSA and MRSA decolonisation) [PDF 361.1 KB] or for eradication of staph aureus nasal colonisation in cardiac surgery patients [PDF 601.18 KB] | Restricted (amber) |
Mupirocin (topical) | Pre-approved indications: Prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter exit site infection for Queensland Health staff on the intranet | Restricted (amber) |
Neomycin (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Ofloxacin (eyedrops) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Oseltamivir | Treatment of inpatients who have clinically suspected or laboratory proven influenza who are at high risk of severe disease.
Prophylaxis of inpatients who are close contacts of inpatients with laboratory proven influenza on the advice of an infectious diseases physician. | Restricted (amber) |
Piperacillin/tazobactam (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Posaconazole (oral) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Rifampicin (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Teicoplanin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Terbinafine (topical) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Terbinafine (oral) | Pre-approved indications:
| Restricted (amber) |
Tobramycin (IV/inhaled/nebulised) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Tobramycin (eyedrops/eye ointment) | Pre-approved indications: Upon ophthalmologist advice | Restricted (amber) |
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Valaciclovir (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
ValGANciclovir (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Vancomycin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Vancomycin (intravitreal/intracameral injection) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Voriconazole (intravitreal/ intracameral injection) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Abacavir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Adefovir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Amikacin (IV/nebulised) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Amorolfine (topical solution) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Amphotericin B Lipid complex IV (SAS-Abelcet) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Amphotericin IV (SAS-Fungizone) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Anidulafungin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Artemeter/lumefantrine (Riamet) (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Artesunate (SAS) (IV) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Atazanavir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Atovaquone (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Atovaquone/proguanil (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Aztreonam (IV/nebulised) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Bacitracin (topical) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Bedaquiline (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Benznidazole (oral) (SAS) |
Approval required: | Reserved (red) |
Brincidofovir – compassionate access | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Capreomycin (IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Evusheld) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Caspofungin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Cefpodoxime (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Ceftolozane/tazobactam (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ceftazidime/avibactam (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ceftaroline (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Chloramphenicol (IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Chloroquine (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Cidofovir (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ciprofloxacin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |
Clofazimine (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Colistin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Clarithromycin (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Cycloserine (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Daclatasvir (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Daptomycin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Darunavir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Delamanid (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Dolutegravir (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Doripenem (IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Efavirenz (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Elvitegravir (oral) – as part of FDC product | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Emtricitabine (oral) – as part of FDC product | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Enfuviritide (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Entecavir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ethambutol (oral) (IV – SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Ertapenem (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Erythromycin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ethionamide (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Fidaxomicin (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Flucytosine (IV/oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Fosfomycin (oral/IV) | Oral: ID consult and approval required IV formulation: Approval required
| Reserved (red) |
Foscarnet (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Fusidic acid (sodium fusidate) (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Ganciclovir (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Imipenem/cilastatin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Isavuconazole (IV/oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Isoniazid (oral/IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Ivermectin (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Ketoconazole (oral/shampoo) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Lamivudine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Letermovir (IV/oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Levofloxacin (IV/oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Linezolid (IV/oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Lopinavir/ritonavir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Molnupiravir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Maraviroc (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Maribavir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Mefloquine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Miltefosine (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Moxifloxacin (IV/oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Meropenem/vaborbactam (IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Meropenem (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Reserved (red) |
Methenamine hippurate (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Micafungin (IV) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Reserved (red) |
Nalidixic acid (PO) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Natamycin eyedrops (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Netilmicin (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Nevirapine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Niclosamide (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Nirsevimab | ID consult and IPA required for patients who do not meet the QLD RSV prevention program eligibility criteria. | Reserved (red) |
Nitazoxanide (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Norfloxacin (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Palivizumab (IM) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Paromomycin (oral/topical) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Para-aminosalicylic acid (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Pentamidine (IV/nebulised) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Peramivir (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Pivmecillinam (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Polymyxin B (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Posaconazole (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Praziquantel (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Pretomanid (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Primaquine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Pristinamycin (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Pylera – bismuth, metronidazole, tetracycline (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Pyrazinamide (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Pyrimethamine (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Quinine (IV/ oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Quinupristin/dalfopristin (IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Raltegravir (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Remdesivir (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ribavirin (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ribavirin (IV) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Rifabutin (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Rifampicin (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Rifapentine (oral) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Rifaximin (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Rilpirivine – with tenofovir and emtricitabine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Sarilumab (IV) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Sofosbuvir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Streptomycin (IM) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Sulfadiazine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Tafenoquine (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Taurolidine/citrate antiseptic lock (Taurolock) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Tedizolid (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Telithromycin (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Tenofovir (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Tetracycline (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Triclosan skin wash | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Tigecycline (IV) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Vancomycin (oral) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Vancomycin (oral/ enteral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
Approval required:
| Restricted (amber) |
Voriconazole (IV/eyedrops) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Zanamavir (inhaled) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Zidovudine (oral/IV) (SAS) | Approval required:
| Reserved (red) |
Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Maviret) (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa) (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni) (oral) | ID consult and approval required | Reserved (red) |
Voriconazole (oral) | Pre-approved indications for specific timeframes (for ongoing use, AMS code required):
| Restricted (amber) |