Medication Screening
The medications below have been flagged as being ‘higher risk’ and we don’t routinely prescribe them. There are individual cases where it may be appropriate to prescribe these medications but they are exceptions. All prescriptions are at the discretion of the Doctor and cannot be guaranteed.
Search for medication here 👇
Call centre ‘higher risk’ medication triage – click here
This is for when patients call asking for a specific medication.
Phone medication requests
Important: If you are in doubt – book the patient in and the Doctor can consult the patient and advise.
Dispatch patient check (existing bookings in queue)
When the dispatch interacts with a patient in the existing queue (such as calling after long wait times) and the booking is a medication request – simply follow the ‘Phone Medication Flow’ above
If the medication is on the ‘higher risk’ list make sure it is documented in the booking notes as per the flow.
Call centre – patient phone calls and suggested actions
| Patient Complaint | Suggested Action |
| “Your Doctors have given this to me before” | “I understand this may be the case but our Medical Director has flagged this is a medication that we don’t routinely prescribe as an After Hours service. Would you still like to proceed with your booking?” |
| “I’m withdrawing from this medication” | Book the patient in for the Doctor to assess. Check symptoms against Emergency triage flow chart. |
| “I can’t get in to see my regular GP” | “I’m sorry to hear that. This is still something that we don’t routinely prescribe as an After Hours Doctor service. I can make the booking request however the Doctor may not be able to provide this medication for you. Would you still like to proceed with your booking?” |
| ADHD meds (Dexamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine, Methylphenidate) | “I’m sorry but our Doctors are unable to provide these medications. This medications needs to be precribed by a Doctor with a Special Permit.” |
Opioid Painkillers
| Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Buprenorphine | Temgesic, Norspan, Subutex, Suboxone (with naloxone) |
| Codeine | Panadeine, Panadeine Forte, Mersyndol (often combined with paracetamol) |
| Fentanyl | Durogesic, Denpax, Fentora, Actiq, Sublimaze |
| Hydromorphone | Jurnista, Dilaudid |
| Methadone | Physeptone, Methadone Syrup (generic) |
| Morphine | MS Contin, Kapanol, Ordine, M-Eslon, Sevredol |
| Oxycodone | Endone, OxyContin, Targin (with naloxone), Oxynorm |
| Pethidine | Pethidine Injection (generic) |
| Tapentadol | Palexia, Palexia SR |
Benzodiazepines (Anxiety/Sleep)
| Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Alprazolam | Xanax (discontinued PBS), Kalma, Alprazolam Sandoz |
| Flunitrazepam | Hypnodorm |
| Bromazepam | Lexotan, Lexotanil |
| Clobazam | Frisium |
| Clonazepam | Rivotril, Paxam |
| Diazepam | Valium, Antenex, Diazepam Accord, Valpam |
| Lorazepam | Ativan |
| Midazolam | Hypnovel, Midazolam Accord |
| Nitrazepam | Mogadon, Alodorm |
| Oxazepam | Serepax, Alepam |
| Temazepam | Normison, Temaze, Temtabs |
Other Strong Sleeping Tablets
| Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Zolpidem | Stilnox, Zolpibel, Zolpidem Sandoz |
| Zopiclone | Imovane, Zopiclone Sandoz, Zopivane |
Stimulants (ADHD or Narcolepsy)
| Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Dexamphetamine | Dexamphetamine Sulfate (various brands) | “Our Doctors are unable to provide this medication. You need to see a Doctor with a permit to prescribe this” |
| Lisdexamfetamine | Vyvanse | “Our Doctors are unable to provide this medication. You need to see a Doctor with a permit to prescribe this” |
| Methylphenidate | Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Concerta, Metadata CD | “Our Doctors are unable to provide this medication. You need to see a Doctor with a permit to prescribe this” |
Other Medicines
| Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Esketamine | Spravato |
| Ketamine | Ketamine Injection (generic, e.g., Ketalar) |
| Quetiapine | Seroquel, Seroquel XR, Quetapel |
| Pregabalin | Lyrica, Pregabalin Sandoz, Pregabalin Teva |
| Gabapentin | Neurontin, Gabapentin Sandoz, Nupentin |
| Tramadol | Tramal, Zydol, Durotram XR, Tramedo |
| Baclofen | Lioresal |
| Naltrexone/Bupropion | Contrave |
| Cannabis | —- |
Weight loss medication
Weight loss is something that should be managed by the regular GP.
| Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Phentermine | Duromine |
| Liraglutide | Saxenda |
| Semaglutide | Wegovy, Ozempic |
| Tirzepatide | Mounjaro |
| Orlistat | Xenical, Alli |