Enteral Feeding -  PEG, PEJ and NG Tubes

Special attention is required when administering drugs to patients with Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG), Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy (PEJ) or Nasogastric (NG) tubes, since most medicinal products are not licensed for administration via this route.

Administering crushed tablets or the contents of an opened capsule in water via an enteral feeding tube may result in:

•  Blockage of the tube
•  Medication interacting with enteral feeds
•  Variability in the dose administered
•  Altered activity of the medication

Consequently, when dealing with patients requiring an enteral feeding tube, medical professionals should obtain the following information from their local medicines information unit and/or the manufacturer of the medicinal product:

•  Is there a more appropriate formulation for administration via an enteral feeding tube
    (less prone to cause blocking of the tube)
•  If no alternative is available, detailed guidance on how to administer the medicinal product
•  What potential interactions may occur with the tubes or enteral feeds, and what the clinical significance      
     may be.

(Wright, 2002a)

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