Global Approaches to Oral Drug Administration Using Enteral Feeding Tubes: A Review of FDA and EMA Guidance

Enteral feeding tubes (EFTs) are essential to use in cases where patients are unable to swallow pills, tablets, or other oral dosage forms. This may be due to conditions such as dysphagia, neurological disorders, or critical illness. While this practice is common, it introduces significant formulation challenges that impact safety, efficacy, and outcomes in both adult and children patient populations.

 In this article, we look at factors involved in properly administering drug products through EFTs, including factors such as:

• Chemical compatibility and integrity
• Interaction with enteral feeding tube materials
• Physical stability and enteral feeding tube patency
• Labelling and instructions for use

You can also read more from our experts on this topic in the Summer 2026 issue of International Pharmaceutical Industry (IPI).