G tube medications NO LIQUID!

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

Hey guys!

I am currently working as a Home Health nurse for a client with a G/J tube. I was wondering if any of you had experience with dissolving Simethicone chew tablets? (I know very specific haha!) Unforetunately, we cannot get him liquid Simethicone from anyone and are stuck with crushing these tablets and mixing with water in a syringe. However, all it does is stick to the syringe no matter how hard you shake it. So I was curious if you guys had any tips/tricks in successfully dissolving meds like this. I am going to try warm water tonight.

Thanks!~

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try apple juice. (think acid)....just a thought.

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and why can't you get liquid?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

it requires a more viscus liquid......like clear Kayro with water syrup.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Also- instead of crushing, place the entire tablet in the syringe (remove the plunger), then suck the liquid up into the syringe and let is dissolve. Liquid simethicone is sold OTC as baby gas drops - why can you not get this?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Why not use the infant gas drops? Those are liquid. Are they strictly NPO? Can they swallow their secretions? I have a GT patient that can swallow secretions, just not sufficient oral intake to sustain life. This patient gets the simethicone dissolvable strips. That melt on the tongue and, for this patient at least, is not an aspiration risk.

There are also chewable tablets that readily dissolve in water.

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Nothing can gack up a Dobhoff tube quicker than the darn simethicone-hate that stuff! Anyway, I crush it and mix with a bit of applesauce and let it sit while I get the other meds ready. I dilute the applesauce with some water and give it a good swirl or two while it goes in.

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