Principles
Anxiety can be a natural response to approaching death, which can be exacerbated by an underlying anxiety disorder or result from newly emerging symptoms such as delirium, pain or dyspnoea.
Prescribing Guidance
palliAGEDgp smartphone application (available as an app or as online content)
Tasmanian Adult Palliative Care Formulary
Useful information
CareSearch website
Remember
- Anxiety may be related to dyspnoea (shortness of breath). Management with opioids (Benzodiazepines) may be useful in reducing dyspnoea and related anxiety.
- Due to its long half-life, clonazepam delivered as a subcutaneous bolus once or twice per day can provide a sustained effect.
- In general, subcutaneous injections are a more pragmatic choice for a person in the last days of life as a dry mouth is common and this can affect sublingual absorption.
Page last updated 21 February 2019