A Guide to Enteral Drug Administration in Palliative Care

Abstract

Enternal feeding is indicated in patients unable to ingest sufficient nutrients but whose gastrointestinal function is adequate for digestion and absorption. Indications in palliative care include patients with radical esophageal surgery, upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction, anorexia, and dysphagia. As the oral route is the preferred method of palliative drug delivery, the enternal feeding tube can become an important tool for drug administration. A number of questions must be asked before a drug is considered for enteral administration. Firstly, is the drug in a suitable dosage form for administration? If not, can a different dosage form (or drug) be substituted or can the physical form of the original product be altered? Secondly, is the drug compatible with the enteral feed? Finally, are there any complicating factors that may affect drug absorption or clearance? This review attempts to answer these questions, provide easily understood guidelines for the successful enteral administration of medications, and discuss clinical implications for palliative care.

Observation of preparation and administration of drugs by nursing assistants in patients with enteral feeding tube

“…Recommendations are easily found in literature (Gilbar, 1999;Seifert, Johnston, Rojas-Fernandez, 2002) for the preparation and administration of drugs to patients that receive enteral nutrition. The scientific community has also established similar norms for this type of drug administration to patients with EFC (Seifert, Johnston, Rojas-Fernandez, 2002).…”

MeMoPratic’ VDHA guide: optimizing medical management from affected upper gastrointestinal system

“…Il est toutefois intéres-sant de savoir y penser et y recourir le cas échéant Guidelines [10]. Néanmoins, en cas de sonde nasogastrique ou de gastroentéro stomie percutanée, il ne faut pas écraser ou ouvrir les formes galéniques suivantes [1][2][3]5,11,12] :…”

Preparation of Extended-Release Theophylline for Gastric Tube Administration Significantly Impairs Gradual Resorption

“…Extended release dosage forms are not suitable for administration via a Nasogastric Tube (NGT) because of the possible pharmacokinetic changes due to modification of the dosage form by crushing [1,2]. Inappropriate dosage forms are often administered through enteral feeding tubes in ICUs.…”