'Just in case' medications are a small supply of medicines prescribed in advance for symptoms that may develop in the future. Healthcare professionals may also call them anticipatory medicines .

Having them ready means a doctor or nurse can treat symptoms promptly, including at night or over a weekend, without waiting for a new prescription to be collected.

Why are ‘just in case’ medications prescribed?

‘Just in case’ or anticipatory medicines are often prescribed when someone is living with a serious illness or approaching the end of their life. The aim is to make sure suitable medicine is available if the person becomes uncomfortable or can no longer take their usual medicine by mouth.

The medicines are prescribed for that individual. Some people will need one or more of them, while others may never need to use them at all.

What symptoms can they help with?

The medicines supplied will depend on the person’s needs. They may be prescribed to help with

• pain

• breathlessness

• feeling or being sick

• anxiety, agitation or restlessness

• saliva or mucus that causes noisy breathing

Different medicines may be chosen for different people. A doctor, nurse or pharmacist can explain what each medicine is for and any possible side effects.

Does having them mean someone will die soon?

Not necessarily. ‘Just in case’ medications are prescribed so that everyone is prepared if symptoms develop. Their presence cannot tell you exactly how long someone has left, and being given them does not mean they will all be used.

If you are unsure why they have been prescribed now, ask the person’s GP, community nurse or palliative care team to explain.

Who gives the medications?

These medicines are often supplied as injections to be given just under the skin. They are usually given by a trained healthcare professional, such as a nurse or doctor, who will check the prescription, choose the medicine and dose, and record what has been given.

Don’t give the medicines yourself unless the care team has specifically trained and authorised you to do so. Never change a dose or give them to anyone else.

How should the medicines be stored?

Keep them in their original packaging, in the secure place recommended by the care team and out of the sight and reach of children and vulnerable adults. Make sure the nurses and those closely involved in the person’s care know where they are.

Keep any prescription or administration paperwork with the medicines. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and tell the care team if anything is damaged, missing or approaching its expiry date.

What should I do if their symptoms develop?

Use the contact number provided by the GP, community nursing team, hospice or palliative care service. Explain what has changed and whether the person seems uncomfortable. The healthcare professional will assess what may be causing the symptom and decide what support or medicine is appropriate.

Ask in advance who to contact during the day, at night and at weekends. Keep these numbers somewhere easy to find, alongside the person’s care plan.

Do they replace the person’s usual medicines?

No. The person should continue taking their usual medicines as advised unless a doctor or nurse reviews them and says something should change.

‘Just in case’ medications are there for particular symptoms or for a time when swallowing is difficult. If the person can no longer take their regular medicine, contact the care team rather than stopping or changing it yourself.

Are they the same as a syringe driver?

No. ‘Just in case’ medications are a supply of prescribed medicines kept ready in case they are needed. A syringe driver is a small pump that gives medicine slowly and continuously through a tube under the skin.

If someone needs repeated doses to keep symptoms controlled, the care team may consider using a syringe driver. 

For more information on syringe drivers, read our Support Hub article: What is a syringe driver?

What happens if they are no longer needed?

After the person has died, keep the medicines safely stored and do not give them to anyone else or put them in household rubbish. Ask the community nurse, GP or pharmacist what to do with them. Unused medicines can usually be returned to a community pharmacy for safe disposal.

It is okay to ask questions

Keeping strong medicines at home can feel like a big responsibility, but you are not expected to make clinical decisions or manage symptoms alone.

Ask the care team to explain what each medicine is for, who is allowed to give it and who to contact if the person’s condition changes. Having a clear plan can help everyone feel more prepared and make it easier to relieve symptoms quickly if they arise.