A Guide to Enteral Drug Administration in Palliative Care

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• Enteral feeding is crucial for patients with adequate gastrointestinal function but insufficient oral intake.
• Indications include post-surgery, obstructions, anorexia, and dysphagia, particularly in palliative care settings.
• Enteral feeding tubes offer an alternative route for medication administration when oral intake is not feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the key considerations for administering medications via enteral feeding tubes.
• To provide guidelines for successful enteral drug administration in palliative care.
• To discuss the clinical implications of using enteral feeding tubes for medication delivery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of drug administration through enteral feeding tubes.
• Analysis of factors influencing drug suitability, compatibility, and absorption.
• Synthesis of guidelines for clinical practice.

Main Results:

• Drug suitability depends on dosage form, potential for alteration, and compatibility with enteral feeds.
• Absorption and clearance can be affected by various complicating factors.
• Successful administration requires careful assessment of the drug and patient.

Conclusions:

• Enteral feeding tubes are valuable tools for medication delivery in palliative care.
• Guidelines are provided to ensure safe and effective drug administration via these tubes.
• Optimizing enteral medication administration improves patient outcomes in palliative settings.