• Use of enteral feeding tubes for drug administration is increasing. 1 Introduction 1
Preventing Errors When Drugs Are Given Via Enteral Feeding Tubes
These mistakes are often the result of administering drugs that are incompatible with administration via a tube, of not preparing the medications properly, and of using faulty techniques. These inaccuracies can result in an occluded feeding tube, …
Examples of enteric-coated medications include aspirin (Ecotrin®), bisacodyl (Dulcolax®), and du-loxetine (Cymbalta®). Crushing enteric-coated products could affect the drug’s efficacy as well as increase the risk of GI toxicity. Furthermore, enteric-coated formulations do not crush well and often break into small particles that may clog an EFT.
feeding tubes. Ten chapters provide the background knowledge to inform clinical decisions, and the accompanying 344 monographs contain guidance on the safe administration of specifi c drugs and formulations. Contents include: types of enteral feeding tubes, tube fl ushing, restoring and maintaining patency, drug therapy review, medication
General recommendations for drug administration via enteral tubes: Use enteral syringes at all times, not injection syringes. For tubes terminating in the stomach, tap water is acceptable. For tubes terminating in the jejunum, sterile water should be used. Stop feed and/or flush enteral tube with 15-30mL of water prior to drug
medication administration can be improved or maintained through the appropriate use of enteral alternatives such as gastrostomy tubes (GT), nasogastric tubes (NG), gastrostomy buttons (G-Buttons; GB), jejunostomy tubes (JT), and nasojejunal tubes (NJ). However, these routes present
Guidelines for the Administration of Drugs Through Enteral Feeding Tubes
CHOICE OF ROUTE Where a drug is needed but the oral route is unavailable or available by tube only, consideration should first be given to alternative methods of administration. Intravenous administration is often an option but requires trained staff to administer, is associated with increased risk to the patient from complications and is ...
There are several types of feeding tubes (Box A10.A). These can be further classified according to lumen size (French gauge), number of lumens (single or multiple) and length of use (short-term, long-term/fixed). a. Step 1 is the preferred option; for further explanation, see Choosing a …
Enteral feeding tubes may be broadly classified by their entry sites and where the tube terminates in the gastrointestinal tract. 2.2. Crushing tablets, opening capsules and administration via feeding tubes usually falls outside a drug’s product license and presents an increased risk for patients compared to other routes of administration.
Many hospitalized patients have swallowing disorders or feeding tubes, making it difficult for them to ingest oral solid dosage forms such as tablets or capsules. For some medications, oral liquid formulations are commercially available and will serve as a suitable option, except in patients who have difficulty swallowing liquids.