Fiber in feeding tubes may ease opioid constipation in ICU

NCT ID NCT07201428

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether adding fiber to liquid food given through a tube can prevent constipation caused by strong painkillers in ICU patients on breathing machines. Researchers compared fiber-enriched and fiber-free formulas in 80 adults. The goal was to see if fiber helps patients have their first bowel movement sooner and reduces the need for enemas.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: fiber-enriched enteral nutrition formula
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary change to prevent constipation in ICU patients on painkillers.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study with only 80 patients, so results may not apply to all ICU patients. Fiber may not help everyone and could cause bloating or discomfort.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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