Total Parenteral Nutrition

Generic name: Total Parenteral Nutrition [ TOE-tal-par-EN-ter-al-noo-TRISH-un ]
Brand names: Kabiven, Perikabiven
Drug class: Intravenous nutritional products

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 14, 2023.

Uses of Total Parenteral Nutrition:

• It is used to aid diet needs.
• It is used to give nutrition to the body.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Total Parenteral Nutrition?

• If you have an allergy to amino acids, dextrose, fat emulsion, or any other part of total parenteral nutrition.
• If you have an allergy to corn, corn products, eggs, peanuts, or soybeans, talk with your doctor.
• If you are allergic to total parenteral nutrition; any part of total parenteral nutrition; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: High cholesterol or triglycerides, certain amino acid metabolism problems, heart or lung problems, or a certain health problem called hemophagocytic syndrome.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with total parenteral nutrition.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take total parenteral nutrition with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Total Parenteral Nutrition?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take total parenteral nutrition. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This medicine may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take total parenteral nutrition.
• This medicine may contain aluminum. There is a chance of aluminum toxicity if you are on total parenteral nutrition for a long time. The risk is greater if you have kidney problems. The risk is also higher in premature infants. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using total parenteral nutrition while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Total Parenteral Nutrition) best taken?

Use total parenteral nutrition as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• Your doctor may teach you how to use.
• Do not use if the solution is leaking or has particles.
• Do not use if solution changes color.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad dizziness or passing out, fast heartbeat, more thirst, seizures, feeling very tired or weak, not hungry, unable to pass urine or change in the amount of urine produced, dry mouth, dry eyes, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Fast breathing.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Blue or gray skin color.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Headache.
• Sweating a lot.
• Flushing.
• This medicine may irritate the vein. If the drug leaks from the vein, it may also cause irritation around that area. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.
• Tell your doctor if you have signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, flushing, headache, more thirsty or hungry, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating.

Related/similar drugs

Intralipid, cysteine, parenteral nutrition solution, Novamine

What are some other side effects of Total Parenteral Nutrition?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Total Parenteral Nutrition?

• Most of the time, total parenteral nutrition will be given in a hospital or doctor's office. If stored at home, follow how to store as you were told by the doctor.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about total parenteral nutrition, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer