The anticipatory prescribing of injectable medications to provide end of life symptom relief is an established community practice in a number of countries. However, the evidence base to support this practice is unclear. An extensive literature search was carried out. The results showed healthcare professionals believe anticipatory prescribing provides reassurance, effective symptom control and helps to prevent crisis hospital admissions. The attitudes of patients towards this remains unknown. It was found to be a low cost intervention but there was inadequate evidence to draw conclusions about its impact on symptom control, comfort or crisis hospital admissions. The authors conclude the views and experiences of patients and their family carers towards anticipatory prescribing need urgent investigation along with further research to investigate the impact on patients' symptoms, comfort, safety and hospital admissions.
Bowers, B. et al. 2018. Anticipatory prescribing of injectable medications for adults at the end of life in the community: a systematic literature review and narrative synthesis. Palliative Medicine, published online December 2018