There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
The FDA Drug Labels for trazodone (PO), lamotrigine (PO) do not address this question.
From the Research
Medication Management in Small Bowel Obstruction
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that Trazodone or Lamictal should be held in the case of a small bowel obstruction 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, it is known that small bowel obstruction can affect the absorption of orally administered drugs, and individualized dosing may be necessary to achieve therapeutic efficacy 3.
- The management of small bowel obstruction typically involves intravenous fluid resuscitation, analgesia, and determining the need for operative vs. nonoperative therapy 2, 4.
- Medications that are not essential for the patient's immediate survival or comfort may be withheld until the obstruction is resolved, but this decision should be made on a case-by-case basis.
Considerations for Specific Medications
- Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant agent that is generally well tolerated, but its absorption may be affected in patients with small bowel obstruction 1, 3.
- Trazodone is an antidepressant medication, and its absorption may also be affected in patients with small bowel obstruction, although there is limited evidence to support this 3.
- The decision to hold or continue these medications should be based on the patient's individual needs and the severity of the small bowel obstruction.
General Principles of Management
- Patients with small bowel obstruction require close monitoring and individualized management to prevent complications and ensure the best possible outcomes 2, 4, 5.
- The use of imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) enterography, can help diagnose the cause of the obstruction and guide management decisions 2, 4, 5.