National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
HAZARDOUS DRUG LIST
P&T Approved: March 28, 2019
Background
This list defines drugs that both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as well as the NIH Clinical Center
(based on an internal hazard safety assessment) considers hazardous and require extra safety precautions for handling, preparation,
and administration in the health care setting. These precautions may vary with drug formulation/dosage form and route of
administration.
NIOSH categorizes hazardous drugs into 3 groups:
Antineoplastic medications
Non-antineoplastic drugs that meet one or more NIOSH criteria for a hazardous drug (Note: some of these drugs may also
pose a reproductive risk for susceptible populations)
Drugs that primarily pose a reproductive risk to men and women who are actively trying to conceive and women who are
pregnant or breastfeeding
Acronyms
CSTD = closed system drug-transfer device
PPE = personal protective equipment
Citation
NIOSH [2016]. NIOSH list of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings, 2016. By Connor TH, MacKenzie BA, DeBord DG,
Trout DB, O’Callaghan JP. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2016-161 (Supersedes 2014-138).
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