Adult Enteral Formulas

There are several types of tube feed formulas available to the enteral consumer. These formulas can be
separated into seven groups. These are groups are blenderized products, polymeric/standard products,
calorically dense products, elemental and semi-elemental products, specialized/disease specific products,
modular/incomplete products and metabolic products. Below is a description of each group;
Blenderized Products
Blenderized formulas were developed for individuals with intolerance to semi-synthetic formulas. These
formulas are made from liquefying actual foods such as chicken, peas, carrots, tomatoes and cranberry juice.

Similar formulas can been made in the home but homemade formulations carry a risk of bacterial
contamination.
Example: Compleat

Polymeric / Standard Products

Polymeric or standard formulas are nutritionally complete. They are made with intact protein,
carbohydrates, long chain triglycerides, vitamins and minerals. They may also include fiber and are
administered through an enteral feeding tube.
Examples: Fibersoure HN, Jevity 1 Cal, Jevity 1.2 Cal, Isosource HN, Nutren 1.0, Nutren 1.0 Fiber,
Osmolite 1 Cal, Osmolite 1.2 Cal, Promote, Promote with Fiber, Nutren Replete, Nutren Replete with
fiber
Calorically Dense Products
Calorically dense formulas are nutritionally complete and provide more calories than standard enteral
products. They may provide equal to or greater than 1.5 kcal /cc. They contain vitamins, minerals
protein, carbohydrates, and mainly long chain triglycerides. These formulas may also include fiber.
Examples: Ensure Plus, Boost Plus, Jevity 1.5, Nutren 1.5, Nutren 2.0, Osmolite 1.5 Cal, Two Cal HN, Resource
2.0 and Resurgex Select

Elemental and Semi-Elemental Products

Elemental and semi-elemental enteral formulas are nutritionally complete but their building blocks are
broken down into smaller components. Elemental formulas contain individual amino acids, glucose
polymers, and are low fat with only about 2% to 3% of calories derived from long chain triglycerides
(LCT). Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are the predominant fat source, and can be absorbed directly
across the small intestinal mucosa into the portal vein in the absence of lipase or bile salts. Semielemental formulas contain peptides of varying chain length, simple sugars, glucose polymers and fat,
primarily as MCT.
Examples: Crucial, Optimental, Peptamen, Peptamen 1.5, Vital HN, Vital 1.0Cal, Vital 1.5 Cal, Vivonex
Plus, Vivonex RTF, Vivonex TEN and Tolerex

Specialized / Disease-Specific Products

Specialized / disease-specific products are nutritionally complete and are designed to meet the needs of
individuals with specific disease states, such as diabetes, renal dysfunction, liver dysfunction, respiratory
dysfunction, acute illness or wound healing. Specialized formulas may contain biologically active substances or
nutrients such as glutamine, arginine, nucleotides or essential fatty acids. Please be advised that the clinical
evidence supporting the use of specialized / disease-specific products continues to be debated. As with all
medical decisions, we support reviewing the appropriateness of using these formulas with your health care team.
Examples: Diabetisource AC, Glucerna, Nutren Glytrol, Nepro with Carb Steady, Novasource Renal, Nutrihep,
Perative, Pulmocare, Nutren Pulmonary, Impact, Impact 1.5, and Oxepa

Modular/ Incomplete Products

Modular/ Incomplete products are used to deliver an additional source of a specific nutrient. They are not
designed to meet 100% of estimated nutritional needs, but can provide additional calories, or protein or fat. They
may be taken alone or in combination with other products.
Examples: Duocal, Polycose, Benecalorie, Promod, Beneprotein, MCT oil, Microlipid, Juven, and other glutamine
containing products

Metabolic Products
Metabolic products are used to in the dietary management of inborn errors metabolism such as

phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease and tyrosinemia. This class of products should only be used
under strict medical guidance.
Examples: Milupa MSUD2, MSUD Aid, Periflex Advance and Ketonex 2

For more information or if you do not see your formula here,

please email info@thriverx.net or call 1(888) 684-7483
References;
Malone A. Enteral Formula Selection: A Review of Selected Product Categories. Practical Gastroenterology. June 2005; 4474.
Abbot Nutrition product information available at: http://abbottnutrition.com/Products/Nutritional-Products.aspx
Nestle Nutrition product information available at: http://www.nestle-nutrition.com/Products/Default.aspx
Nutricia product information available at: http://www.nutricia-na.com/pages/products.htm

Our goal is to provide cost-effective care, positive clinical outcomes,

and improve quality of life for the home nutrition support patient.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT:

1-888-6-THRIVE (888-684-7483) or info@thriverx.net
www.thriverx.net