Taking Medicine Through a Feeding Tube

You are going home with a feeding tube in place. If you take medicines by mouth, you will need to take them through your feeding tube. This sheet will help you.

You were shown how to care for your type of feeding tube in the hospital. If you did not get an instruction sheet on caring for your tube, ask for one.

Ask for liquid medicine

It is easier to take liquid medicine through a feeding tube. Call your pharmacist to ask if any of your medicines come in liquid form. Ask for those prescriptions to be filled with liquid medicines.

Important tips

  • Tell all your healthcare providers that you take medicines through your tube.

  • Use liquid medicines when possible.

  • Don't crush or dissolve extended-release or enteric-coated medicines. Only do this if directed by your healthcare provider.

  • Don’t mix medicines with feeding formula. Only do this if your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

  • Flush your tube before, between, and after giving medicines. This is to prevent the tube from getting clogged.

What you will need

Gather these supplies:

  • Measuring cup that is marked with mL or cc (these are the same thing)

  • Measuring spoon or syringe marked with mL or cc

  • 50 mL (cc) or larger syringe

  • Bowl of tap water (2 cups or more)

Before you start

  • Check the placement of your feeding tube as you were shown in the hospital.

  • Prepare each medicine the way you were shown in the hospital.

  • Make sure to use the correct port on the feeding tube for your medicines. 

  • Take your medicines in this order:

      1. Liquid medicines first

      2. Medicines that need to be dissolved second

      3. Thick medicines last

How to take your medicine

When it's time to take your medicine:

  1. Wash your hands fully with mild soap and clean, running water.
  2. Measure the prescribed amount of liquid medicine. Or, crush pills and dissolve the powder in 15 mL (about 1 tablespoon) or more of warm water.
  3. Remove the plunger from the 50 mL syringe. Pour 30 mL of warm water into the syringe. Flush your tube.
  4. Pour the medicine into the syringe. Don't use the syringe plunger to push the medicine into the tube. Let the medicine flow in slowly.
  5. Flush your tube with 5 mL (about 1 teaspoon) or more of warm water between each medicine.
  6. Take each medicine by itself. Never mix medicines together in the syringe.
  7. Flush the tube with 30 mL of warm water after all medicines have been given.
  8. Wait before restarting your tube feeding. Some medicines don’t work when mixed with the feeding formula. Ask your healthcare provider how long you should wait to start feeding after taking medicines.
  9. Clamp your tube. Keep it clamped in between feedings.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

  • Bloody or coffee-colored fluid through the tube. Depending on the amount of bleeding, your provider may tell you to get medical care right away.

  • Coughing

  • Trouble breathing during feeding, flushing, or giving medicine

  • Tube that can’t be unclogged

  • Tube that falls out

  • Trouble telling if the tube is in your stomach

  • Tube that is cracked or breaking down 

  • Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 loose stools

  • Constipation that lasts more than 48 hours

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Red, warm, or sore skin around the tube

  • Sudden increase or decrease in the amount of fluid through the tube

  • Sudden weight loss or gain (more than 2 pounds in 24 hours)

  • Bloated or tight stomach

  • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your healthcare provider