Syringe Drivers For Injectable Drugs

Syringe Drivers For Injectable Drugs

Dec 01

Injectable and implantable drugs and devices play a vital role in end of life or palliative care, whereby the aim is not to treat the condition, but to make life more bearable for the sufferer. In the later stages of some types of cancers, patients may have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules, or severe nausea and vomiting, making oral preparations unsuitable for some patients.

Syringe drivers are the most common form of injectable and implantable drugs and devices used in palliative care, allowing drugs to be injected subcutaneously and continuously, preventing peaks and troughs in the blood levels of the drugs and allowing the effects to be continuous. Drugs such as diamorphine or morphine can be used for pain relief. Cyclizine, hyoscine or haloperidol can be used for nausea and vomiting, which is a common side effect of such pain relief. Glycopyrronium or hyoscine can be used to reduce excess secretions, which can make breathing difficult. These drugs will not cure the disease, but will relieve the symptoms in the aim of making the patient as comfortable as possible.

Whilst there are alternative drug delivery methods, such as the use of transdermal patches for pain relief or nausea, these types of injectable and implantable drugs and devices are vital in making people’s last days as comfortable as possible, and without the need for multiple injection sites.