Frequent use of sorbitol-containing medications in enterally fed patients often causes which symptom?

• A. Diarrhea
• B. Nausea
• C. Vomiting
• D. Constipation

Answer: (A)

Sorbitol acts as an osmotic laxative in the gut. When medications containing sorbitol are given to patients receiving enteral nutrition, they add to the osmotic load in the intestine. Sorbitol is poorly absorbed, so it stays in the lumen and draws water into the bowel, increasing stool water content and speeding up transit. This osmotic effect leads to diarrhea, and the response is dose-dependent—more sorbitol usually means looser stools. In enterally fed patients, the risk is higher if multiple sorbitol-containing meds are used or if GI tolerance is already compromised. While nausea, vomiting, or constipation can occur for other reasons, frequent use of sorbitol-containing medications most commonly presents as diarrhea. If diarrhea develops, reviewing the medication list for sorbitol and considering sorbitol-free alternatives can help manage it.