Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Purpose: An overview of enteral feeding tubes, drug administration techniques, considerations for dosage form selection, common drug interactions with enteral formulas, and methods to minimize tube occlusion is given.
Summary: Enteral nutrition through a feeding tube is the preferred method of nutrition support in patients who have a functioning gastrointestinal tract but who are unable to be fed orally. This method of delivering nutrition is also commonly used for administering medications when patients cannot swallow safely. However, several issues must be considered with concurrent administration of oral medications and enteral formulas. Incorrect administration methods may result in clogged feeding tubes, decreased drug efficacy, increased adverse effects, or drug–formula incompatibilities. Various enteral feeding tubes are available and are typically classified by site of insertion and location of the distal tip of the feeding tube. Liquid medications, particularly elixirs and suspensions, are preferred for enteral administration; however, these formulations may be hypertonic or contain large amounts of sorbitol, and these properties increase the potential for adverse effects. Before solid dosage forms are administered through the feeding tube, it should be determined if the medications are suitable for manipulation, such as crushing a tablet or opening a capsule. Medications should not be added directly to the enteral formula, and feeding tubes should be properly flushed with water before and after each medication is administered. To minimize drug–nutrient interactions, special considerations should be taken when administering phenytoin, carbamazepine, warfarin, fluoroquinolones, and proton pump inhibitors via feeding tubes. Precautions should be implemented to prevent tube occlusions, and immediate intervention is required when blockages occur.
Conclusion: Successful drug delivery through enteral feeding tubes requires consideration of the tube size and placement as well as careful selection and appropriate administration of drug dosage forms.
Introduction
When oral intake is inadequate or not recommended for a prolonged period of time, patients may require an alternative method of feeding, either enterally or parenterally. Enteral nutrition (EN) through a feeding tube is the preferred method of nutrition support for patients with a functioning gastrointestinal (GI) tract. EN offers several theoretical advantages over parenteral nutrition, including lower cost, greater convenience, decreased infectious complications, and enhanced host immune function. Another beneficial effect includes improved maintenance of GI mucosal structure and function, which could possibly prevent gut atrophy and bacterial translocation.[1,2,3,4]
Another advantage of enteral feeding tubes is that they provide convenient access to the GI tract; therefore, these devices are frequently used for medication administration in patients who cannot swallow safely. Several issues must be considered with concurrent administration of oral medications and enteral formulas, particularly continuous tube feeding, because incorrect administration methods may result in clogged feeding tubes, decreased drug effectiveness, increased adverse effects, or drug–formula incompatibilities.[5] This article provides a general overview of enteral feeding tubes, drug administration techniques, considerations for dosage form selection, common drug interactions with enteral formulas, and methods to minimize tube occlusions.
Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008;65(24):2347-2357. © 2008 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Cite this: Medication Administration Through Enteral Feeding Tubes - Medscape - Dec 15, 2008.
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