[athomas91]

i suppose that i am not the first to tell you that just because they have MD behind their name they know what they are doing. Not ALL medicines are harmful when switched - just ones that depend on that first pass effect to lessen their strength. all i am saying is be familiar with your meds and know what effect changing the route will have. a doctor WILL throw you to the wolves when the lawsuit comes - remember that. good luck

[aimeee]

While oral meds CAN be given rectally, it is generally an emergency kind of action. Oral meds are not forumlated for breakdown in the rectum. Absorption and bioavailability can vary highly according to circumstance. For instance, a pharmacist told me that dilantin can be compounded into suppositories but there has been only one very small scale study done and it "suggests" that the dosage must be about double what the oral would be to achieve the same levels.

[OneThunder]

Originally Posted by aimeee

While oral meds CAN be given rectally, it is generally an emergency kind of action. Oral meds are not forumlated for breakdown in the rectum. Absorption and bioavailability can vary highly according to circumstance. For instance, a pharmacist told me that dilantin can be compounded into suppositories but there has been only one very small scale study done and it "suggests" that the dosage must be about double what the oral would be to achieve the same levels.

we have a pharmacy that will work with the case manager, medical director and "compound" a custom suppository with the required medications. This is the exception,rather than the norm, but it is all part of individualized care for the hospice patient.