Can Viibryd (vilazodone) be administered through a feeding tube?

Administration of Viibryd (Vilazodone) Through a Feeding Tube

Viibryd (vilazodone) can be administered through a feeding tube, but proper administration techniques must be followed to ensure efficacy and prevent tube occlusion.

General Considerations for Medication Administration via Feeding Tube

• The necessity and appropriateness of administering any medication through an enteral tube should be confirmed before proceeding, taking into account the site of drug delivery and potential interactions with enteral formula 1, 2
• Consult with a pharmacist before administering any medication through a feeding tube to confirm appropriateness and proper administration technique 2
• Liquid medications are generally preferred over crushed solid dosage forms for enteral tube administration to reduce the risk of tube occlusion 2, 3

Specific Administration Protocol for Viibryd

• Use appropriate ancillaries including syringes with connectors of a recognized standard (ISO 80369-3/"ENFit") to avoid misconnection errors 1, 2
• Flush the feeding tube with at least 30 mL of water before administering Viibryd 1
• Administer Viibryd individually (not mixed with other medications) to avoid drug-drug interactions 1
• Viibryd must be administered with food to optimize bioavailability, so coordinate administration with enteral feeding 4
• Flush the tube again with at least 30 mL of water after medication administration to prevent tube obstruction 1

Important Precautions

• Medications should not be added directly to the enteral formula 3
• Drugs should be administered individually through an enteral feeding tube, with the tube flushed before, between, and after each drug 1
• When using low-dose ENFit syringes, do not shake the syringe to remove drug moat as this exposes people to the drug and affects dose delivered 1
• Be aware that the site of the enteral tube tip (stomach vs. jejunum) may affect drug efficacy 1

Potential Complications and How to Avoid Them

• Inappropriate medication administration techniques can lead to clogged feeding tubes, decreased drug efficacy, increased adverse effects, or drug-formula incompatibilities 3, 5
• Higher incidence of tube occlusions when using solid dosage forms through nasogastric tubes, so proper crushing and dissolution is essential 2, 6
• Studies show that healthcare professionals often have limited knowledge regarding proper medication administration through feeding tubes, highlighting the importance of consulting with a pharmacist 5, 7

Monitoring

• Monitor for efficacy of Viibryd and any potential adverse effects, as administration through a feeding tube is considered off-label use 2, 7
• Regularly check tube patency after medication administration 3, 6
• If continuous enteral feeding is being provided, consider temporarily stopping the feed before and after medication administration to prevent potential drug-nutrient interactions 1