Medication Management

Key messages

• The person (and where relevant their family and substitute decision-maker) needs to be equipped to make informed decisions about medication and treatment options.
• The person’s preferences should be paramount. They can choose to refuse medication or treatment.
• Medication needs, goals and preferences should be regularly assessed as they will change throughout the palliative phase.
• People may deteriorate quickly in their final stage of life. Being prepared for rapid changes in symptoms will ensure effective medication management.
• Common practices in palliative care medication management include:
  • reviewing and rationalising medications (deprescribing)
  • anticipatory prescribing to reduce suffering
  • withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, including futile or non-beneficial treatment
  • providing effective pain and symptom management.
• Quality of life should be the primary goal when the person is in the palliative phase. People should die in a way that is as free from pain and suffering as possible.
• Good communication with the person’s family and friends (where there is consent to share information) about medication management will support better end of life outcomes.