What are anticipatory medications?
Anticipatory medications are a small supply of injectable medications that your healthcare team think may be needed at home in the coming days or weeks. Sometimes it can be difficult to get these medications quickly, such as at night or at the weekend so it is helpful to have them ready - just in case.
What medicines are used as anticipatory medications?
- Morphine Sulfate or Oxycodone - to relieve pain and shortness of breath
- Levomepromazine - to relieve sickness
- Midazolam - to relieve restlessness or anxiety
- Glycopyrronium - to relieve secretions in the chest
The medications supplied will vary depending on your symptoms. You may not need all or any of the medications that you are prescribed.
As well as the medications you will be given a form for the nurses that will be caring for you.
This form enables the nurses to administer the medications to you if/when they are required and tells them what dose and frequency to give.
How should anticipatory medications be stored?
The anticipatory medications are specific to you and should not be given to anyone else.
They do not need to be kept in the fridge but should be kept in a safe place, out of the reach of any children.
What should I do with any anticipatory medications that are not used?
If there are medications left that are not required a friend or relative should take them to any pharmacy or give to your district nurse for destruction. They must not be given to anyone else.
If you have any questions about your anticipatory medications, please ask/contact the Palliative Care Team on:
Team contact number __________________________________________________
Date of Review: April 2025
Date of Next Review: April 2027
Ref. No PI_C_ 2069 (NCA)