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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Drug administration via enteral feeding tubes in intensive therapy - terra incognita?
Katarzyna Matysiak-Luśnia1, Łidia Lysenko
1Chair and 2nd Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Piastowie Śląscy Medical University in Wrocław, Poland. kmatysiak@spsk1.com.pl.
Abstract:
The use of enteral feeding tubes has become more frequent, both in hospital settings and in home care. The feeding tubes serve not only to deliver nutrients, but also as a route for medication provision. Nonetheless, the pharmaceutical, legal and technical implications of medication delivery via enteral feeding tubes are not widely understood by doctors and nurses. Not only is the type of medication relevant, but also the type of feeding tube. Crushing tablets may have detrimental effects for a patient and a staff member too. Administering a drug via enteral feeding tubes usually falls outside the terms of the licence (off-label), so burdening medical staff with the entire responsibility for potential adverse reactions.
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