Formulary

17.3.1 Honey

First Line
Second Line
Specialist
Hospital Only

Manuka honey can provide optimal conditions at the wound bed to allow the wound healing process to continue. Used in the presence of infection in conjunction with a clear rational for treatment.

Patients often request honey dressings, but they need to be aware that whilst they will provide optimal conditions at the wound bed, they are not a cure for any underlying conditions that may ultimately prevent the wound from healing e.g. severe arterial disease.

Manuka honey can provide optimal conditions at the wound bed to allow the wound healing process to continue. Used in the presence of infection in conjunction with a clear rational for treatment.

Patients often request honey dressings, but they need to be aware that whilst they will provide optimal conditions at the wound bed, they are not a cure for any underlying conditions that may ultimately prevent the wound from healing e.g. severe arterial disease.

Practitioners should check that patients are not allergic to bee stings as the use of honey can cause an anaphylactic reaction. Some patients may experience a transient drawing or stinging when the dressing is first applied.

The honey products in this section all have similar anti-microbial and debriding properties and clinical judgment should be used to determine the correct product for wound.

  • For low to medium exudating wounds.
  • High exudating wounds which need packing when there is a colonization or critical colonization wound.
  • Not to be used as a normal packing or prophylactically for possible wound infection.
  • Mainly used on crater type wounds with large amounts of slough and can be left in place for 3 – 4 days.

Honey-based topical application

These products will help in autolytic debridement, reduce odour and facilitate good wound bed preparation.

Activon tube

(Medical grade manuka honey 100%)

  • Tube 25g (£2.87)

Indications

  • For use as a wound filler, directly onto the wound bed, for partial or full thickness wounds

Notes

  1. Activon tube is a single-patient-use-only product. Once opened, use within 90 days
  2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 3 days

Ribbon dressing

Algivon Plus Ribbon

(Reinforced alginate ribbon impregnated with medical grade manuka honey 100%)

  • Ribbon 2.5 x 20cm (£4.36)

Indications

  • For use in cavity wounds and sinuses with moderate to high levels of exudate

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days
Medihoney Antibacterial Honey Apinate

(Non-adherent calcium alginate dressing, impregnated with medical grade honey)

  • Rope dressing 1.9 x 30cm (£4.38)

Indications

  • Acute and chronic wounds: leg/foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, infected wounds, malodorous wounds, donor and recipient graft sites and burns and surgical wounds

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Sheet dressing

Actilite

(Viscose net dressing coated with 100% manuka honey and manuka oil)

  • Dressing 5 x 5cm (£0.74), 10 x 10cm (£1.28), 10 x 20cm (£2.47), 20 x 30cm (£6.95), 30 x 30cm (£11.50), 30 x 60cm (£19.87)

Indications

  • For shallow wounds with low exudate

Notes

  1. Ratio of 99% honey to 1% oil
  2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days
Activon Tulle

(Knitted viscose mesh impregnated with medical grade manuka honey 100%)

  • Mesh 5 x 5cm (£2.33), 10 x 10cm (£3.85)

Indications

  • For debriding and de-sloughing shallow wounds or where exudate levels have started to reduce

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 3 days
Algivon

(Absorbent, non-adherent calcium alginate dressing impregnated with medical grade manuka honey 100%)

  • Dressing 5 x 5cm (£2.57), 10cm x 10cm (£4.41)

Indications

  • For use in sloughy wounds or infected wet wounds with moderate to high levels of exudate

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days
Medihoney Antibacterial Honey Apinate

(Non-adherent calcium alginate dressing, impregnated with medical grade honey)

  • Square dressing 5 x 5cm (£2.09), 10 x 10cm (£3.55)

Indications

  • Acute and chronic wounds: leg/foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, infected wounds, malodorous wounds, donor and recipient graft sites and burns and surgical wounds

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days.
Medihoney Tulle

(Woven fabric impregnated with medical grade manuka honey)

  • 5 x 5cm (£1.77), 10 x 10cm (£3.11)

Indications

  • Acute and chronic wounds: leg/foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, infected wounds, malodorous wounds, donor and recipient graft sites and burns and surgical wounds

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days
Medihoney Gel Sheet

(Sodium alginate dressing impregnated with medical grade honey)

  • 5 x 5cm (£1.83), 10 x 10cm (£4.38)

Indications

  • Acute and chronic wounds: leg/foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, infected wounds, malodorous wounds, donor and recipient graft sites and burns and surgical wounds

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days
Medihoney HCS (Hydrogel Colloidal Sheet)

(All-in-one dressing that combines 63% honey in a hydrogel dressing with a superabsorbent polymer)

  • Non-adhesive: 6 x 6cm (£2.34), 11 x 11cm (£4.67), 20 x 20cm (£18.84), 20 x 30cm (£29.31)
  • Adhesive: 11 x 11cm (£3.19), 15 x 15cm (£6.04)

Indications

  • Acute and chronic wounds: leg/foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, infected wounds, malodorous wounds, donor and recipient graft sites and burns and surgical wounds

Notes

  1. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days