Abstract

This report supports interactions between phenytoin and both enteral feeding products and nasogastric feeding tube. Five patients in ICU were treated with intravenous phenytoin, which yield detectable therapeutic serum concentrations. After switching to a comparable phenytoin capsule administered by nasogastric feeding tube, their serum phenytoin concentration fell to below assay sensitivity concentrations. Two of them experienced seizures. They were administered by intravenous phenytoin again or another antiepileptic drug, so the seizures were controlled. Some fact of decreased phenytoin absorption in enteral feeding patients is that phenytoin interact enteral feeding product and adhere the nasogastric feeding tube itself. We conclude that it is necessary to use phenytoin with caution in enteral feeding patients.

• Keywords: Enteral feeding;Nasogastric feeding tube;Decreased absorption;Phenytoin;