Table of Contents

Contents

Preface

How PCF is constructed

Getting the most out of PCF

The use of medicinal products beyond (off-label) and without (unauthorized) marketing authorization

Drug names

Abbreviations

Part 1 Drug Monographs

1 Gastro-intestinal system Antacids Antimuscarinics Prokinetics H2-receptor antagonists Proton pump inhibitors Loperamide Laxatives Products for haemorrhoids Pancreatin

2 Cardiovascular system Furosemide Spironolactone Systemic local anaesthetics *Clonidine Glyceryl trinitrate Nifedipine Anticoagulants Haemostatics

3 Respiratory system Bronchodilators Inhaled corticosteroids Oxygen Drugs for cough

4 Central nervous system Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs Melatonin Antipsychotics Antidepressants *Psychostimulants *Cannabinoids Anti-emetics Anti-epileptics

5 Analgesics Principles of use of analgesics Adjuvant analgesics Paracetamol Nefopam Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Weak opioids Strong opioids Opioid antagonists (therapeutic target within the CNS) Opioid antagonists (therapeutic target outside the CNS)

6 Infections Antibacterials in palliative care Oral candidosis Metronidazole Rifampicin Urinary tract infections Cellulitis in a lymphoedematous limb Clostridium difficile infection

7 Endocrine system and immunomodulation Bisphosphonates Systemic corticosteroids Demeclocycline Desmopressin Drugs for diabetes mellitus *Octreotide Progestogens Danazol *Thalidomide

8 Urinary tract disorders Tamsulosin Oxybutynin Methenamine hippurate Catheter patency solutions Discoloured urine

9 Nutrition and blood Anaemia Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) Phytomenadione (vitamin K1) Potassium Magnesium Zinc

10 Musculoskeletal and joint diseases Depot corticosteroid injections Rubefacients and other topical products Skeletal muscle relaxants

11 Ear, nose and oropharynx Mouthwashes Artificial saliva Pilocarpine Drugs for oral inflammation and ulceration Cerumenolytics

12 Skin Emollients Topical antipruritics Barrier products

13 Anaesthesia *Ketamine *Propofol

Part 2 Prescribing in palliative care

14 Prescribing in palliative care

15 Anticipatory prescribing in the community

16 Prescribing in children

17 Renal impairment

18 Hepatic impairment

19 Variability in response to drugs

20 Prolongation of the QT interval in palliative care

21 Drug-induced movement disorders

22 Drugs and fitness to drive

23 Taking controlled and prescription drugs to other countries

24 Obtaining specials

25 Management of postoperative pain in opioid-dependent patients

26 Drugs for pruritus

27 Oral nutritional supplements

Part 3 Routes of administration

28 Drug administration to patients with swallowing difficulties or enteral feeding tubes

29 Continuous subcutaneous drug infusions

30 Transdermal patches

31 Nebulized drugs

32 Spinal analgesia

Appendices

A1 Anaphylaxis

A2 Opioid dose conversion ratios

A3 Compatibility charts

Indexes

Drugs

Topics