Saturday, May 28, 2011

And while were talking about the bowels!

When is the appropriate time to give aperients?

In my experience, mostly it is given at meal times in conjunction with other medications often mixed up with food ( and yes I have been guilty of this too).

Did you know that this could affect the efficacy of other medications? Why?

Because aperients are designed to stimulate the bowel thus could influence the efficacy of other medications and speed up the absorption of them.

So when should aperients be given? At least 30 mins either side of medications being given.

Are aperients designed to be given every day?

Well of course not! So why do we give them every day to some people. Do they actually need them every day or do we, as nurses and caregivers, think they do?

Food for thought isn't it?

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