OBJECTIVE: Define the prevalence of drugs that are not compatible with this way of administration for inpatients in long term care facilities (LTCF), and their use in feeding tubes. METHODS: Analysis of prescriptions for LTCF inpatient who are using feeding tubes for more than 48 hours. The active ingredients, presentation and possibility of pulverizing drugs prescribed were compared to data in literature regarding the feasibility of enteral administration of drugs. RESULTS: Feeding tubes were observed in 57 patients (11.2% of the total of inpatients), mean age of 65.6 ± 16.0 years, 32 women and 25 men. Mean number of drugs administered enterally: 5.6 ± 2.2. Medication items in prescriptions: 316 divided into 64 drugs, with 129 items (40.8% of the total), and 23 drugs (35.4%) inappropriate for such administration. Inappropriate medications most often prescribed were: captopril, phenytoin, ranitidine, omeprazole, and B complex. Alternative presentations were found for 15 (65.2%) of the 23 drugs that were not appropriate for enteral administration CONCLUSION: Feeding tubes as a way of drug administration for LTCF have a significant risk of including prescriptions which are not compatible.
Drug utilization review; Drug administration routes; Homes for the aged
