Palliative Care - Tasmanian Medicines Formulary

Symptoms
Drugs

ABCBI

ATP-Binding Cassette sub-family B member 1
Acute care facility

Refers to the four major Tasmanian Public Hospitals; Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, North-West Regional Hospital and the Mersey Community Hospital
AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Back titration

Technique by which a physician slowly reduces the dose of a medication to determine the minimum effective dose in a particular patient
CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
CNS

Central Nervous System
COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COX Inhibitor

Cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor
CSCI

Continuous subcutaneous infusion
CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid
CTZ

Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone
EPSE

Extra-pyramidal side effects
For continued therapy

This medication is non-formulary for initiation of therapy but can be prescribed and supplied for inpatients and for up to one month on discharge if the patient was on the medication before admission. After the discharge supply has been exhausted the patient returns to their usual method of supply. STDC/TMAAC approval required for any initiation of inpatient therapy or non-PBS outpatient supply.
GI

Gastrointestinal
GIT

Gastrointestinal tract
GORD

Gastric Oesophageal Reflux Disease
Guidance MS

A DHHS online Antimicrobial Stewardship program being used to help assist in the appropriate selection of antimicrobial agents to help reduce the long term risk of antimicrobial resistance. See Guidelines and Other Resources to apply for patient approval
Highly Specialised Drugs Program

For approved indications for use see the PBS section of the drug monograph
Intrathecal Administration

Intrathecal administration refers to the placement of medications into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord (the intrathecal space) for the purpose of analgesia or anaesthesia. This procedure requires specialist training. Please seek specialist advice.
LFT

Liver Function Test
MAOI

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MI

Myocardial Infarction
NSAID

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
PBS Indications

For PBS eligible patients only. For approved indications for use see the PBS section of the drug monograph
PCF

Palliative Care Formulary - UK reference for palliative care prescribing
PPI

Proton Pump Inhibitor
PUD

Peptic Ulcer Disease
RPBS

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Rural Inpatient Facility

Refers to Tasmanian Rural Health Facilities: Beaconsfield District Health Service, Campbell Town Health and Community Service, Deloraine District Hospital, Esperance Multi-Purpose Centre, Flinders Island Multi Purpose Centre, George Town Hospital and Community Centre, King Island Hospital and Community Health Centre, North East Soldiers Memorial Hospital - Scottsdale, New Norfolk District Hospital, Midlands Multi-Purpose Health Centre - Oatlands, Rosebery Community Health Centre, Smithton District Hospital, St Helens District Hospital, St Marys Community Health Centre, Community Health Centre - Tasman, West Coast District Hospital - Queenstown
SAS

Special Access Scheme - allows access to non-TGA registered drugs
SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate secretion of Anti-Diuretic Hormone
SNRI

Serotonin and Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine) Reuptake Inhibitor
SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
STDC

Statewide Therapeutic Drug Committee. Now known as Tasmanian Medicines Access and Advisory Committee (TMAAC)
TCA

Tricyclic antidepressant
TGA

Therapeutic Goods Administration- Please see MIMs indications for use below.
Therapeutic Guidelines

Please see Global Resources for link to the Therapeutic Guidelines
THS

Tasmanian Health Service
TMAAC

Tasmanian Medicines Access and Advisory Committee. Previously known as Statewide Therapeutic Drug Committee (STDC)
TMF

Tasmanian Medicines Formulary - the list of medications and indications available in the Tasmanian Health Service. Must be ordered by a practitioner with prescribing rights within the THS.
VTE

Venous thromoembolism

The Tasmanian Palliative Care Formulary a resource for healthcare professionals who care for adult patients who require palliative care. This includes:

Specialist Doctors
General Practitioners
Nurses
Pharmacists

It is not intended as a resource for patients and carers. For quality evidence-based information for patients and carers, see www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/64/Default.aspx

The Tasmanian Palliative Care Formulary includes:

Medications with specialised palliative care indications
Routes and dosing, including via syringe drivers
Variations on usual prescribing for this patient group
Summaries that compare medications within a class, eg. NSAIDs, benzodiazepines
Links to useful resources;
- symptom management guidelines
- syringe driver compatibilities, and
- opioid conversion tables

It does not include information on paediatric, pregnant or breastfeeding patients. For these patients, please seek specialist resources and advice.

Navigation tips:

To find what you are looking for, try using the search bar (above)
Alternatively, use the tabs (left) to browse by symptom or drug, or to access useful links, glossary or guidelines

The ‘?’ button (top right) identifies these tabs, and for DHHS users, where to switch between the Tasmanian Palliative Care Formulary and the Tasmanian Medicines Formulary.

Please email formulary@health.tas.gov.au for website support, feedback and comments.

Welcome to the Tasmanian Palliative Care Formulary