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BNSSG Adult Joint Formulary
16.2 Gastrointestinal symptoms- Palliative Care
Last edited: 22-05-2025
First line drugs |
Second line drugs |
Specialist drugs |
Secondary care drugs |
Nausea and Vomiting
If patients are unable to tolerate oral medication, or where absorption may be compromised, the subcutaneous route is the preferred route for administration of anti-emetic medication
Metoclopramide (TLS Green)
- For nausea/vomiting associated with starting opioid medication or delayed gastric emptying
- See MHRA Safety Update on Metoclopramide: risk of neurological adverse effects
Cyclizine (TLS Green)
- For nausea/vomiting associated with intracranial disease
Haloperidol (TLS Blue)
- For nausea/vomiting associated with metabolic derangement or drugs
Domperidone tablets (TLS Blue)
Levomepromazine tablets and subcutaneous injection (TLS Blue)
- Note 6mg strength tablets are high cost
Ondansetron tablets / injection (TLS Blue)
- For nausea and vomiting associated with therapy, chemotherapy or post abdominal surgery
Hyoscine hydrobromide transdermal patch
- For treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with vestibular disorder; and as a result of medication side effects
Bowel Obstruction
Hyoscine butylbromide (TLS Green)
Dexamethasone (TLS Green)
Octreotide (TLS Amber Specialist Recommended)
- For high volume vomiting/fistula on advice of palliative care team
Hiccups
Metoclopramide (TLS Green)
Haloperidol (TLS Green)
Domperidone (TLS Blue)
Antacids (TLS Blue)
Omeprazole (TLS Blue)
Diazepam (TLS Blue)
Baclofen (TLS Blue)
Chlorpromazine (TLS Blue)
Dexamethasone (TLS Blue)
Constipation
Oral preparations
Senna (TLS Green)
Bisacodyl (TLS Green)
Docusate sodium (TLS Green)
Macrogols (TLS Green)
Naloxegol (TLS Blue)
Naldemedine (TLS Blue)
Co-danthramer (TLS Amber Specialist Recommended)
Co-danthrusate (TLS Amber Specialist Recommended)
Methylnaltrexone (TLS Amber Specialist Recommended)
- Used as rescue therapy where the oral/rectal route is inappropriate, on the advice of Palliative Care
Rectal preparations
Glycerine (TLS Green)
Bisacodyl (TLS Green)
Sodium citrate (Micralax®) (TLS Green)
Arachis oil (TLS Blue)
- Not to be used if patient has a peanut allergy
Phosphates enema (TLS Blue)
Diarrhoea
Be sure that cause is not due to infection or excess laxative use before using anti-diarrheals
Loperamide (TLS Green)
Codeine phosphate (TLS Blue)
Creon® (TLS Blue)
- For steatorrhoea due to pancreatic insufficiency
Octreotide (TLS Red)
- For faecal fistulae and carcinoid syndrome
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