What is this leaflet about?Sometimes a medicine is prescribed in a way that is not covered by its UK product licence. This does not mean that it is unsafe for use. This leaflet explains in more detail what ‘unlicensed’ and ‘off label’ mean and why some medicines are used in this way. You may wish to discuss this further with …
Read moreOupatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy
21st October 2016SummaryThis leaflet aims to provide you with information about the OPAT service. If you have any further questions, please speak to a doctor or nurse caring for you. What is OPAT?Antibiotics are medicines active against bugs or germs that can cause a significant infection. They can be given orally (by mouth) or injected into a vein: this is called intravenous …
Read moreOral Oxycodone
20th October 2016SummaryQuick-acting or immediate release oxycodone: Oxynorm® capsules, Oxynorm® liquid, Lynlor® capsules and others. Long-acting or modified release (12 hourly) oxycodone: Longtec® tablets, Oxycontin® tablets and others. There are different forms of morphine and different brands: check the name of the medicine on the box. Morphine is a strong opioid pain medication. What is oxycodone used for?Oxycodone is used for moderate …
Read moreOral morphine
20th October 2016SummaryQuick-acting or immediate release morphine: Oramorph® liquid, Sevredol® tablets. Long-acting or modified release (12 hourly) morphine: MST Continus® tablets or granules, Zomorph® capsules, Morphgesic® SR tablets, MXL® capsules and others. There are different forms of morphine and different brands: check the name of the medicine on the box. Morphine is a strong opioid pain medication. What is morphine used for?Morphine …
Read more‘Just in case’ medicines for palliative care
20th October 2016What are ‘Just in Case’ medicines?Other name: Anticipatory medicines These are medicines which are usually given by injection and are prescribed for you. They should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional. They are given to you to be kept in your home ‘just in case’ you need them. This means you could be given a medicine to help …
Read moreFentanyl sublingual tablets (Abstral)
20th October 2016What are fentanyl sublingual tablets used for?Abstral® is a strong opioid painkiller that is put under the tongue. It dissolves and works very quickly. It is used to treat the kind of moderate to severe pain that comes on suddenly without warning or is brought on by movement or something like changing a dressing. This kind of pain usually lasts …
Read moreFentanyl patches
20th October 2016Fentanyl PatchesOther names: Durogesic D-trans®, Matrifen®, Fencino®, Victanyl®, Yemex® and others. You should stay on the same brand of fentanyl unless your doctor changes it. Check the name of the medicine on the box. Fentanyl is a strong opioid pain medication. What is fentanyl used for?Fentanyl is used for moderate to severe pain that has not been well controlled on …
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