How can Creon be given through feeding tube to pancreatic cancer patient?
Patient: Hi. I am caring for my friend who has pancreatic cancer and is on a PEJ feeding tube. She has a lot of gas and her oncologist recommended putting creon down the feeding tube. Should I crush the contents on the gel cap and mix them with her water flushes or just put the little micropellets into the feeding tube mixed with water. They do not dissolve in water as I have tried. I am concerned about blocking her feeding tube. Doctor: Hi,Thanks for writing in.Creon is pancrelipase and is given to patients who have abnormal pancreas functioning. This enzyme helps in maintaining digestive functions of the pancreas. The usual recommendation is to mix the pellets with the soft liquid food and push them through the syringe. Following this you can flush the gastric tube and then clear any clogged part of the tube with water.If you mix the pellets with the liquid food then it will form a homogeneous distribution and pass through and even if there is little amount sticking to the walls of the nasogastric tube then it will be washed through the tube when you flush it with water. Please do not worry.