1mg in 2ml, 5mg in 10ml & 5mg in 1ml injection ampoules - approved for initiation by specialists in palliative care 

First line: 15mg tablets

Second line: 30mg tablets

Codeine linctus 15mg/5ml - approved for cough suppression in palliative care patients unable to take tablets

• 200microgram sublingual tablets
• 300microgram in 1ml injection
• Buprenorphine patches (Preferred brand - Butec®) are approved for use in palliative care when fentanyl 12 microgram/hr transdermal patches exceed the patient’s analgesic requirements.

• 12, 25, 37.5, 50, 75 & 100 microgram/hour transdermal patches
  • Prescribe by brand. Mezolar® has replaced Matrifen® as the first choice brand. Patients who currently use Matrifen® can continue to do so if managing well.
• Fentanyl sublingual tablets (Abstral®)   restricted to use for breakthrough / rescue pain relief in palliative care on recommendation of a pain specialist or palliative care team.

• Approved only for use in patients who are intolerant of morphine. 
• Note: Oxycodone 50mg in 1ml injection  is also approved for use, but is restricted to controlled circumstances in palliative patients following risk assessment by individual organisations.
• The OxyPro® branded generic is preferred (most cost effective option). 
• The oral solution should be used instead of immediate release tablets.