Drug absorption
The absorption of medication via an enterai feeding tube
can be adversely affected if administered simultaneously
with feed (White and Bradnam, 2009). It will also
increase the risk of tube blockage. Therefore medication
should not be administered whilst the enterai feed is in
progress. Where a patient receiving feed needs to be given
medication the feed should be stopped and the feeding
tube flushed with at least 30 mis of water (BAPEN,
2004). For some medications, e.g. phenytoin, penicillin
or flucloxicillin, a resting period is required following the
administration of feed to minimize the risk of the drug
interacting with the feed and therefore reducing the dose
available for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract