Prescribing guidance for pain


Pain is commonly observed in the last few days of a palliative illness.

Opioid naïve

Opioid tolerant


Prescribing considerations

  • Review patient regularly
  • If greater than 3 doses of PRN opioids are required for breakthrough pain over 24 hour period, request prescriber review to consider changes to medication and syringe driver orders.
  • Use a syringe driver if regular dosing is required
  • Check availability of medicines through the patient’s usual pharmacy

The medicines listed throughout this app are in line with those endorsed by Caring at Home and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) within the Community End-of-Life Medicines List (136kb pdf).



Page updated 19 July 2018

 


palliAGED is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.