The eighth edition of the Palliative Care Formulary (PCF), from Pharmaceutical Press, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s knowledge business, is an essential resource for health professionals who care for patients with progressive end-stage disease.
Although written primarily with cancer patients in mind, PCF8 contains specific material relating to several other life-limiting diseases e.g. COPD, end-stage heart failure, renal and hepatic failure, and end-stage Parkinson's disease.
PCF8 also includes several Quick Clinical Guides covering key topics in palliative care and designed for everyday use.
Grounded in clinical practice, this comprehensive title includes independent information about drugs used in palliative care, highlighting off-label indications or routes, and dealing with the administration of multiple drugs by continuous subcutaneous infusion.
PCF8 consists of 35 chapters and appendices; of the monographs, there is one renamed (Tricyclic antidepressants) and two discontinued (Carbamazepine and Danazol).
Key monographs in PCF8 have been fully reviewed and revised for this edition, including all analgesics, antidepressants, bisphosphonates, denosumab, drugs and fitness to drive, renal impairment and swallowing difficulties and enteral feeding tubes.
Preface
How PCF is constructed
Getting the most out of PCF
The use of medicinal products beyond (off-label) and without (unauthorized) marketing authorization
Drug names
Abbreviations
Part 1 Drug Monographs
1 Gastro-intestinal system
Antacids and antiflatulents
Antimuscarinics
Prokinetics
H2-receptor antagonists
Proton pump inhibitors
Loperamide
Laxatives
Topical products for haemorrhoids
Pancreatin
2 Cardiovascular system
Furosemide
Spironolactone
Systemic local anaesthetics
*Clonidine
Glyceryl trinitrate
Nifedipine
Anticoagulants
Haemostatics
3 Respiratory system
Bronchodilators
Inhaled corticosteroids
Oxygen
Drugs for cough
4 Central nervous system
Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs
Melatonin
Antipsychotics
Antidepressants
*Psychostimulants
*Cannabinoids
Anti-emetics
Anti-epileptics
5 Analgesics
Principles of use of analgesics
Adjuvant analgesics
Paracetamol
Nefopam
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Weak opioids
Strong opioids
Opioid antagonists (therapeutic target within the CNS)
Opioid antagonists (therapeutic target outside the CNS)
6 Infections
Antibacterials in palliative care
Oral candidosis
Metronidazole
Rifampicin
Urinary tract infections
Cellulitis in a lymphoedematous limb
7 Endocrine system and immunomodulation
Bisphosphonates
Denosumab
Systemic corticosteroids
Demeclocycline
Desmopressin
Drugs for diabetes mellitus
*Octreotide
Progestogens
*Thalidomide
8 Urinary tract disorders
Tamsulosin
Urinary antimuscarinics
Methenamine hippurate
Catheter patency solutions
Discoloured urine
9 Nutrition and blood
Anaemia
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Vitamin K
Potassium
Magnesium
Zinc
10 Musculoskeletal and joint diseases
Depot corticosteroid injections
Rubefacients and other topical products
Skeletal muscle relaxants
11 Ear, nose and oropharynx
Mouthwashes
Artificial saliva
Pilocarpine
Drugs for oral inflammation and ulceration
Cerumenolytics
12 Skin
Emollients
Topical antipruritics
Barrier products
13 Anaesthesia
*Ketamine
*Propofol
Part 2 Prescribing in palliative care
14 Prescribing in palliative care
15 Anticipatory prescribing in the community
16 Prescribing for children
17 Renal impairment
18 Hepatic impairment
19 Variability in response to drugs
20 Prolongation of the QT interval in palliative care
21 Drug-induced movement disorders
22 Drugs and fitness to drive
23 Taking controlled and prescription drugs to other countries
24 Obtaining specials
25 Management of postoperative pain in opioid-dependent patients
26 Drugs for pruritus
27 Oral nutritional supplements
Part 3 Routes of administration
28 Drug administration to patients with swallowing difficulties or enteral feeding tubes
29 Continuous subcutaneous drug infusions
30 Transdermal patches
31 Nebulized drugs
32 Spinal analgesia
Appendices
A1Anaphylaxis
A2Opioid dose conversion ratios
A3Compatibility charts
Indexes
Drugs
Topics
From the reviews of previous editions
‘PCF [is] a core text for the speciality and has no serious rivals.’ Palliative Medicine
‘The information is up to date and prepared with extreme care. This handbook should be available to staff involved with inpatient consultation, inpatient units of care and home visits.’ Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
‘First class. Highly recommended.’ International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care
