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SC Oxycodone Availability and Compatibility — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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EasySyringe Driver & Drug CompatibilitySC Oxycodone Availability and CompatibilitySCE Palliative Medicine

A palliative care pharmacist is asked whether subcutaneous (SC) oxycodone can replace SC morphine in a continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) for a patient with morphine-induced nausea. Is SC oxycodone available and compatible with standard adjunctive CSCI drugs?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Yes – SC oxycodone is available and compatible with midazolam, haloperidol and glycopyrronium using water for injections

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · A = shown as E

Option A is correct. SC oxycodone is a licensed and available alternative to morphine or diamorphine in UK palliative care, especially when morphine causes intolerable side effects. Compatibility data in UK (Scottish) guidelines confirm that oxycodone can be safely mixed with midazolam, haloperidol and glycopyrronium in water for injection. Option B is incorrect—oxycodone is an accepted opioid for CSCI. Option C and D are clearly false—oxycodone is available and usable subcutaneously. Option E is false—compatibility data rule it out. The question assesses knowledge of UK-specific opioid options and syringe driver compatibility—critical for safe prescribing in palliative practice.

Reference: Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines: ‘Compatibility and stability tables for subcutaneous infusion’ and ‘Oxycodone’ information sheet (Right Decisions), recent UK guidance.