Prescribing Anticipatory Drugs
‘Anticipatory’ drugs in a palliative setting are those drugs that are prescribed for use on an ‘as required’ basis to manage common symptoms that can occur at the end of life. In most cases these drugs will be prescribed as a subcutaneous injection and will usually include four key drugs: an opioid (for management of pain or breathlessness), an antiemetic, an antisecretory drug (for respiratory secretions) and a sedative.
Readily available anticipatory drugs can prevent inappropriate readmissions to hospital. It is especially important to ensure that drugs are available over weekends and bank holidays.
https://web.archive.org/web/20200720092733/https://www.northkirkleesccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Guidance-on-Prescribing-Anticipatory-Drugs-and-Syringe-Drivers-in-the-Community.pdf