Feeding tube medication administered through

Compatibility of medications with an enteral nutrition (EN) formula and, conversely, an enteral nutrition (EN) formula with administered medications is of concern when administering medications through feeding tubes. 

The location of the tip of the feeding tube is important when considering medication administration down a feeding tube. This is particularly true if the medication acts locally in the GI tract itself. For example, sucralfate and antacids act locally in the stomach. Therefore, administration of these medications through a duodenal or jejunal tube is not logical. Likewise, for medications such as itraconazole that require acid for best absorption, administration directly into the duodenum or jejunum would be expected to result in suboptimal absorption. Absorption of drugs when administered directly into the small bowel, especially the jejunum, rather than into the stomach is another area where more research would be useful. 

Prior to administering medications through a feeding tube, the feeding tube tip location should be verified (stomach or small bowel) and the most suitable dosage form selected. Medications that should not be crushed and administered through a tube include enteric-coated or sustained-release capsules or tablets and sublingual or buccal tablets. 

Nasogastric Tube (NG) This is a tube passed through the nose and into the stomach providing direct access to the stomach. It is used to administer medication, for temporary feeding, and to remove stomach contents. 

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