Pharmacological therapy of feed intolerance in the critically ills

Abstract

Feed intolerance in the setting of critical illness is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, and thus requires promptly and effective treatment. Prokinetic agents are currently considered as the first-line therapy given issues relating to parenteral nutrition and post-pyloric placement. Currently, the agents of choice are erythromycin and metoclopramide, either alone or in combination, which are highly effective with relatively low incidence of cardiac, hemodynamic or neurological adverse effects. Diarrhea, however, can occur in up to 49% of patients who are treated with the dual prokinetic therapy, which is not associated with Clostridium difficile infection and settled soon after the cessation of the drugs. Hence, the use of prokinetic therapy over a long period or for prophylactic purpose must be avoided, and the indication for ongoing use of the drug(s) must be reviewed frequently. Second line therapy, such as total parenteral nutrition and post-pyloric feeding, must be considered once adverse effects relating the prokinetic therapy develop.

Keywords: Adverse effects; Critical illness; Enteral feeding; Feed intolerance; Prokinetic therapy

Core tip: Feed intolerance during critical illness must be promptly recognized and treated due to the associated morbidity and mortality. The current first line treatment for feed intolerance is prokinetic therapy with erythromycin and metoclopramide (alone or in combination), which are highly effective and free of significant adverse effects. Although diarrhoea occurs commonly after combination prokinetic therapy, it is not associated with Clostridium difficile colitis and settled shortly after stopping the treatment. The use of prokinetic therapy over a long period or for prophylactic purpose, therefore, must be avoided and the indication for ongoing use of the drug(s) should be frequently reviewed.