Enteral Nutrition FAQs

A) For enquiries relating to enteral nutrition homecare e.g. patient deliveries/orders please contact Patient Services on 0808 100 1990 or email Homecareenteral@fresenius-kabi.com

A) Contact salesadmin-uk@fresenius-kabi.com or 01928 533533 and one of our team members will be able to help you.

A) Samples can be ordered using our Fresubin Sample Service website: samples.fresubin.com/uk. Samples will be sent direct to your patient’s home address.

A) We have a dedicated Fresubin website, www.fresubin.com/uk that provides advice and resources to support patients.

A) A full nutritional breakdown can be found in the product pages.

You can also download the Fresenius Kabi Enteral Nutrition App for access to detailed product information and resources

Apple link https://apps.apple.com/app/fresenius-kabi-enteral-app/id1560312344

Google Play link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fresenius.product

Desktop: https://enonlineapp.freseniuskabi.co.uk

A) For further information on the volume that Fresubin products are complete for micronutrients please refer to the ‘Complete volumes for micronutrients’ which is available in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) The majority of Fresubin products are not suitable for children under three years of age and should be used with caution in children under six years. The Frebini product range is specifically designed for children aged 1-12 years of age.

Certain products may have slightly different age restrictions, so please check individual products in the product pages.

A) The following products are suitable for vegetarians;

• Fresubin Jucy
  
• Fresubin Powder Extra
• Calshake Powder
• Fresubin 5kcal Shot
• Thick & Easy® Clear
• Thick & Easy® Original

For further information please refer to the Allergen table which in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) The following products are suitable for vegans;

• Fresubin 5kcal Shot 
• Thick & Easy Clear 
• Thick & Easy Original

For further information please refer to the Allergen table which in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) We have a Dysphagia product range that is intended to be used in the dietary management of patients with Dysphagia; including

• Thick & Easy® Clear 
• Thick & Easy® Original 
• Fresubin Thickened Level 2
• Fresubin Thickened Level 3
• Fresubin 2kcal Creme
• Fresubin Dessert Fruit Puree
• Fresubin YOCreme

Our standard Fresubin oral nutritional supplements (ONS) have also been categorised in line with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, for further information please refer to the ‘Fresubin ONS IDDSI Levels’ which is available in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) There are a variety of Fresubin sip feeds and tube feeds that are suitable for people with diabetes. Having diabetes should not prevent patients from having Fresubin products and as general advice we would recommend;

1. Patients are advised to take Fresenius Kabi ONS in small amounts with meals or throughout the day e.g. one carton sipped slowly over 20-30 minutes.
2. Blood sugars should be monitored regularly according to local policy, to identify any unacceptably high levels, which may necessitate a change in diet or an increase in tablets or insulin.

For further advice please contact Scientific Affairs on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com

A) All Fresenius oral nutritional supplements are suitable for use during pregnancy. Fresubin ONS provide adequate levels of all essential nutrients and reflect that of a healthy well-balanced diet.

A) Fresubin ONS and tube feeds contain milk protein. The following products in our portfolio are milk free:

• Fresubin 5kcal Shot 
• Fresubin Soya Fibre Tube Feed
• Thick & Easy Original 
• Thick & Easy Clear

For further information refer to the individual products or the allergen table which in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) The majority of Fresubin products are classed as lactose free. The following products contain lactose;

• Fresubin YOCreme
• Fresubin YoDrink 
• Fresubin Powder Extra
• Calshake Powder

For further information on lactose levels for individual products please refer to the product pages or the allergen table which in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) Certain products contain soya in the form of soya protein or soya lecithin.

The following products are classified as soya free;

• Survimed OPD Tube Feed
• Survimed OPN HN Tube Feed
• Fresubin HP Energy
• Fresubin HP Energy Fibre
• Fresubin Intensive 
• Fresubin Jucy Drink
• Fresubin 5 kcal Shot 
• Fresubin Powder Extra
• Survimed OPD Drink
• Survimed OPD 1.5kcal Drink
• Calshake Powder
• Thick & Easy Clear
• Thick & Easy Original

For further information please refer to the Allergen table which is available in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) Fresubin ONS and tube feeds are gluten free.

For further information please refer to the Allergen table which is available in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) Fresubin products are Halal certified with the exception of some of the Survimed OPD range, Fresubin Intensive tube feed, as well as certain flavours of the Fresubin and Frebini ONS range, for further information please contact Scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com for a list of approved flavours or refer to the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) All Fresubin products are kosher certified but certain flavours/ products may not be suitable for Passover.

For further information please refer to the Allergen table which is available in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) Fresubin ONS can be gently warmed, they should not be boiled. Fresubin Thickened should not be heated.

A) Yes, the majority of Fresubin ONS can be frozen at a minimum temperature of – 18°C for up to 1 month. For further advice, please contact Scientific Affairs on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com.

A) Products should be stored at room temperature.

For further advice, please contact Scientific Affairs on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com

A) Once opened Fresubin Easybottles should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours. Fresubin ONS can be kept at room temperature for up to 6 hours.

Fresubin 5kcal Shot once opened can be kept for up to 14 days in a refrigerator.

A) Once opened the maximum hanging time is 24 hours, any contents should be discarded after 24 hours. 

A) The EasyBottle and the blue lid can both recycled.

EasyBags are not currently able to be recycled with household plastics. However, EasyBags collapse flat when empty, making them easy to dispose of and avoids large amount of plastic waste.  Using less plastic is the most important step to prevent plastic waste, financially and environmentally. 

Giving sets are not currently able to be recycled.

For further information please refer to the recycling guide available in healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) We would recommend using a product from our texture modified dysphagia range instead of thickening a standard ONS.

• Fresubin Thickened Level 2 - Level 2
• Fresubin Thickened Level 3 - Level 3
• Fresubin 2kcal Creme - Level 4
• Fresubin YOCreme - Level 4
• Fresubin Fruit Dessert Puree - Level 4

A) Yes, Fresubin ONS have been IDDSI classified.

Our standard Fresubin oral nutritional supplements (ONS) have been categorised in line with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, for further information please refer to the ‘Fresubin ONS IDDSI Levels’ which is available in the healthcare professional resources enteral nutrition section.

A) ONS are prescribable on FP10/GP10 and should be used under medical supervision. The dosage should be calculated by a healthcare professional according to individual requirements.

A) Fresubin ONS are classed as Foods for Special Medical Purposes and should be used under medical supervision. Fresenius Kabi are not able to sell product direct to patients or their carers.

A) The dosage should be calculated by a healthcare professional according to individual requirements.

A) Always check first with your pharmacist and/or drug manufacturer that the medication can be mixed with a food and drink thickener. Taking medication with thickened fluids may alter the bioavailability of the medication and there is the potential for drug-thickener interaction.

For further advice please contact Scientific Affairs on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com

A) All Freka enteral feeding tubes are single use only.

A) All Freka enteral feeding tubes are latex free.

A) 

• Freka^® Nasogastric tubes - Polyurethane
• Freka^® Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) - Polyurethane with silicone retention disc
• Freka^® Belly Button, Gastrotube and Pexact - Silicone
• Freka^® Endolumina, Easy-In, Trelumina - Polyurethane
• Freka^® Surgical Jejunostomy - Polyurethane with silicone retention disc
• Freka^® PEG Universal Intestinal Feeding Tube - is Polyurethane with silicone retention disc, Intestinal tube is polyurethane

A) If the clamp is used between feeds we recommend that the clamp is moved to a different part of the tube each time. This is to prevent the same part of the tube being clamped every time which may cause weakness over a period time.

A) Please contact the Scientific Affairs team on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com for information on MRI compatibility.

A) Do not rotate the Freka Intestinal (PEG-J) tube, as this may dislodge the jejunal extension. Once the stoma tract has healed, the fixation device can be moved by pushing the tube 3-4 cm into the stomach and gently pull the tube back to feel resistance, then secure the fixation device back to its original position (approx. 1cm away from the skin).

A) After the stoma site is fully healed, you can swim, bath or shower as normal. Ensure the clamp is closed and thoroughly dry the area afterwards.

A) The balloon on the Freka Gastrotube should be checked every 6 weeks as per the aftercare advice for Freka Gastrotube. This is detailed in the Aftercare Booklet and Aftercare Sheet.

The Freka Belly Button and Freka Pexact II balloon fill volume should be checked weekly. This is detailed in the Aftercare Booklet and Aftercare Sheet.

For further advice, please contact Scientific Affairs on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com

A) You can download copies of the aftercare booklets here. 

Alternatively, you can request hard copies to be posted to you - please contact Scientific Affairs on 01928 533516 or email scientific.affairsUK@fresenius-kabi.com.

A) Every 24 hours - unless advised to do more frequently by your healthcare professional.