Syringe Drivers

Key messages

A person with palliative care needs who has difficulties ingesting or digesting medications may receive them subcutaneously (under the skin) using a syringe driver. [1-8]
A syringe driver is a small, portable, battery-operated device used to administer a continuous 24-hour dose of medication. [2-5,7,8]
Patients and carers can find a syringe driver convenient as it removes the need for repeated doses of medication and makes it more likely that a consistent dose is maintained. [2,3,8]
For older people at end of life, syringe drivers can be effective in managing common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain, dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) and excessive secretions. [2,5,8,9]
Health professionals need to be competent in setting up and using syringe drivers and care needs to be taken with contraindications, drug incompatibilities and conversion rates. [2-4,7]

Search PubMed