Therapeutic concerns when oral medications are administered nasogastrically

Administering oral medications to patients with nasogastric tube (NGT) is a challenging patient-care issue. Inappropriate prescribing behaviour and incorrect procedure for extemporaneous preparation of oral suspensions given via NGT may result in significant harm to patients. There are many drugs which have not been tested regarding oral absorption profile and bioavailability derived from NGT dosing. Although several studies and case-reports have been reported, there is no up-to-date review of drug administration via NGT. The aim of this review is to increase awareness of rational drug administration via NGT and to encourage relevant research in this area.

Full prescribing information from each currently available oral medication was reviewed for any data indicating that the medication could not be crushed or opened. Literature was identified by searching PubMed (1988 to Aug 2012).

There is evidence to show that NGT dosing of some medications may bring both benefits (e.g. cost saving) and disadvantages (e.g. decrease in efficacy and/or safety). For medications with package inserts that warn that they should not be crushed or opened, alternatives are usually recommended. However, in some cases, there is evidence to support NGT dosing. Sometimes special procedures are required to avoid problems such as instability, interaction with enteral nutrition, adsorption, tube obstruction and low recovery when preparing extemporaneous oral suspensions.

Physicians, pharmacists and nurses should know the procedures for drug administration by NGT, as well as the latest evidence on such administrations. There may not be bioequivalence between oral and nasogastric administrations. Care must be taken to avoid compromising the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and pharmacological properties of drugs given by NGT to ensure their safety and efficacy.