Effect of enteral tube feeding on serum phenytoin levels

Abstract

The primary purpose of the present study was to determine if altering the timing of phenytoin administration in relation to delivery of tube feedings increased serum phenytoin levels. Stopping tube feedings for two hours before and two hours after administration is a procedure that nurses could employ independently for better patient care. However, this adds an extra procedure to the nurse's already busy routine. It also requires the nurse to adjust either the tube feeding flow rate or bolus amount in order to deliver the same amount of calories per day. Based on this study, it appears that this intervention procedure is not effective for the patient and is time-consuming for the nurse. Instead, the focus for increasing phenytoin serum levels in patients receiving tube feedings should probably be on increasing the dosage.