• reduce text size
  • increase text size
Text Size
Abbott Nutrition Ireland

Frequently Asked Questions

This section of the website contains answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) received by Abbott Nutrition. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact Abbott Nutrition on 1800 22 11 66 or by email, abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com.

Are Abbott Nutrition feeds milk protein free?

No. Please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66 if you require further advice.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutrition feeds nut and nut oil free?

Yes. Please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66 if you require further advice.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutrition feeds suitable for vegans?

Abbott Nutrition feeds are not suitable for people following a vegan diet, because they contain milk protein. Please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66 if you require further advice.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutrition feeds suitable for vegetarians?

The vast majority of Abbott Nutrition feeds are suitable for vegetarians. The exceptions are: ProSure® and Oxepa® due to containing fish oil.

The following flavoured nutritional drinks contain E120 or E124 sourced from cochineal, a red colouring which some people may consider a meat product:

  • Ensure® – Strawberry
  • Ensure® Plus milkshake style – Strawberry, Raspberry, Fruits of the forest, Blackcurrant
  • Ensure® Plus yoghurt style – Strawberry swirl
  • Ensure® Plus Fibre – Raspberry, Strawberry, Fruits of the forest
  • Ensure® Plus HP - Strawberry
  • Ensure® TwoCal – Strawberry
  • Enshake® – Strawberry
  • Nepro® – Strawberry
  • Glucerna® SR - Strawberry
  • Ensure® Plus savoury - Chicken

Abbott Nutrition products contain vitamin D which is sourced from cholesterol extracted from oils on sheep's wool. Some strict vegetarians may consider this to be a meat product.

If you are unsure, ask your healthcare professional or contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutrition feeds gluten free?

The vast majority of the Abbott Nutrition tube feeds and nutritional drinks are clinically gluten free and are suitable for people with Coeliac disease or who have a gluten intolerance. The exception is Ensure® Plus savoury chicken flavour due to containing wheat in the flavouring.

If you are unsure, ask your healthcare professional or contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutrition feeds Halal certified?

Please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66 for an up-to-date list on Halal certified products.

Back to Top
Do Abbott Nutrition feeds have Kosher certification?

Please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66 for an up-to-date list on Kosher certified products.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutritional drinks suitable for me if I have diabetes?

Yes. The range of nutritional drinks provided by Abbott Nutrition are suitable for people with diabetes and should only be used under medical supervision. It is recommended that you sip your drink slowly over a 20minute period and space your nutritional drinks out across the day. This will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Make sure you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly, as instructed by your healthcare professional.

Abbott Nutrition has nutritional drinks designed specifically to help people with diabetes meet their nutritional needs called Glucerna® SR and Glucerna®, so ask your healthcare professional which nutritional drink is most suitable for you.

Back to Top
Can Abbott Nutritional drinks be heated?

Yes. Nutritional drinks provided by Abbott Nutrition can be heated to make a warm drink, soup or dessert.

Back to Top
Instructions for heating your nutritional drink
  1. Shake the pack well before use
  2. Empty the contents of the pack into a saucepan. Stir regularly during heating to ensure the nutritional drink heats through evenly. Do not allow the drink to boil as this may alter the taste and destroy the heat sensitive nutrients
  3. Any product not consumed within one hour should be discarded to prevent bacterial contamination.
Back to Top
Instructions for heating your powdered nutritional drink
  1. Make up the shake drink as per the instructions provided on the product label
  2. Pour the reconstituted drink into a saucepan. Stir regularly during heating to ensure the drink heats through evenly. Do not allow the drink to boil as this may alter the taste and destroy the heat sensitive nutrients
  3. Any product not consumed within one hour should be discarded to prevent bacterial contamination.
Back to Top
Can Abbott Nutritional drinks be used in cooking or with other foods?

Yes. You may prefer to take your nutritional drink incorporated into other foods and drinks, for a welcomed change to sipping them. Nutritional drinks provided by Abbott Nutrition are suitable for adults and children and can be used to enhance the nutritional value of your normal diet including drinks, snacks, savouries and desserts. Please see the recipe section for tasty ideas using your nutritional drink.

Back to Top
Can you thicken Abbott Nutritional drinks?

Yes. If you need to thicken your nutritional drink, your healthcare professional will advise you on which product and the quantity to use.

For best results:

  1. Measure the required amount of thickener into a small bowl (ask your healthcare professional about the amount of thickener you will need to add)
  2. Slowly add your prescribed Abbott nutritional drink to the thickener and mix with a whisk or fork until it is completely mixed together
  3. Pour the thickened drink into a glass or cup
  4. Depending on the thickener you have used, you may need to leave the drink to stand to ensure that it thickens to the required consistency.
Back to Top
Can Enshake® be used to fortify (enrich) foods?

Enshake® powder can be added to food to increase the nutritional content. The powder can be mixed into foods such as: milkshakes, savouries and desserts. Please refer to the recipe section for additional tasty ideas.

Back to Top
Can I add salt or food thickener to the tube feed?

No additions should be made to your tube feed, as this will affect the viscosity of the feed and may cause your feeding pump to alarm. However if you need additional salt or require a thickened feed your healthcare professional will advise you accordingly.

Back to Top
Do Abbott Nutrition feeds contain any genetically modified soy protein?

No. The soya (soy) protein used in Abbott Nutrition feeds sold in Ireland is not genetically modified.

Back to Top
Does the nutritional drink replace my normal meals?

It is important to continue to eat normal meals and snacks as well as taking the number of nutritional drinks prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Back to Top
How long can I hang Abbott Nutrition Ready-to-Hang (RTH) bottles?

As a guide, Abbott Nutrition Ready-to-Hang bottles can be hung for up to 24 hours. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional.

Back to Top
How long can I safely use Abbott Nutrition giving sets and flexitainers?

All Abbott Nutrition giving sets and flexitainers show the following “single use” symbol Symbol

Single use means that you can use your giving set and/or flexitainers intermittently over a 24 hour period as long as the giving set is not separated from the bottle of feed or flexitainer. After 24 hours, you must throw away the giving set and flexitainer to prevent bacterial contamination.

If you are feeding intermittently or use a powdered or decanted feed, please contact you healthcare professional for advice.

Back to Top
How are feeds dispensed?

Feeds are dispensed by your local pharmacy against a prescription written by your doctor or other prescribing healthcare professional.   

Back to Top
How do I get a feeding pump to use at home?

When you are due to be discharged from hospital you will be loaned free of charge an Abbott Nutrition feeding pump from Abbott Nutrition’s Hospital to Home service. The Hospital to Home service will keep track of your pump as it needs to be returned to Abbott Nutrition if you no longer need it.

Back to Top
How do I get trained on how to use the Abbott Nutrition feeding system?

Before you are discharged from hospital, you will be trained on how to use the Abbott Nutrition feeding system. This may include how to use a feeding pump, how to use a giving set and how to set up the feed.

You will be provided with an information folder to take home with you. These will usually be provided by your dietitian or the Abbott representative.

The instruction manual for your pump includes a step by step guide on the pump, information on troubleshooting and contact numbers.

Your healthcare professional can register you with the Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home service which provides you with additional support in making the transition from hospital to the home.

Back to Top
How do we supply Abbott Nutrition feeding pumps to you at home?

You will have been given a feeding pump on loan from Abbott Nutrition by the hospital or by the Abbott representative. The pump is on loan free of charge to you from Abbott Nutrition for as long as you require tube feeding at home. Please return the feeding pump to Abbott Nutrition when you no longer require it. Please contact Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66 and the friendly team will arrange for the pump to be collected from you.

Back to Top
How often should my pump be cleaned?

You should clean your pump every day, and immediately after any spillages, using a damp cloth, warm water and a mild detergent. Do not immerse your pump in water. Try not to let any feed dry on the pump as this makes it very difficult to clean. For full cleaning instructions, please refer to your pump manual.

Back to Top
How should I store Abbott Nutrition products?

Keep unopened packs and ready-to-hang bottles in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat. Once opened, cover the contents and store them in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused feed after 24 hours to prevent bacterial contamination.

Back to Top
Is Similac® infant formula available in Ireland?

Yes. Similac® infant formula for babies aged 0-6 months is available in Ireland from your local pharmacy. If you are travelling to Ireland with an infant on an advanced Similac® infant formula, it is advised to bring sufficient formula with you to last the duration of your stay or alternatively please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66 to discuss alternative infant formulas available in Ireland.

Back to Top
What do I do if my Abbott Nutrition feeding pump is not working properly?

If you think that your feeding pump is not working properly, follow the “trouble shooting” advice on the side of your pump or alternatively refer to the back of your pump instruction manual. If your feeding pump is still not working, contact the Hospital to Home team on 1800 22 11 66. The Hospital to Home coordinators will take you through a checklist to see if the problem can be easily solved.

In an emergency, if your pump needs to be replaced we can arrange a replacement pump to be delivered, including weekends and bank holidays. In all other cases, faulty pumps can be replaced within one working day.

Back to Top
How can I arrange to take my pump, feed and feeding equipment with me when I am going on holiday?

Abbott Nutrition can deliver your feed to many common destinations outside of Ireland. However, we ask that you provide us with at least six weeks notice before your departure date so that we can arrange to send your feed to your desired holiday destination. For further details, please contact the Hospital to Home team on 1800 22 11 66.

Back to Top
What if I do not need the Hospital to Home Service anymore?

When your treatment has ended, the Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home team will arrange to collect your pump, unopened feed and ancillaries from you free of charge. Please contact Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66 to arrange collection.

Back to Top
What products can Hospital to Home supply me with?

Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home service will supply you with the following to assist you in managing your tube feeding at home

  • Feeding pump
  • Drip stand
  • Starter pack of giving sets
Back to Top
What should I do if my feeding pump alarms and indicates a blockage?
  1. First, switch off your feeding pump (if it is running)
  2. Wash your hands
  3. To check if the blockage is in the giving set or feeding tube, disconnect your giving set from the feeding tube and run some feed into a cup. If the feed runs smoothly, then the blockage is in your feeding tube. If the feed does not run through the giving set, check the giving set for kinks in the tube and make sure that the clamp has not been left closed
  4. If the blockage is in the feeding tube, check that the clamp (if there is one) is not closed. Open the clamp and slowly syringe water down your feeding tube to push the blockage through. You may need to do this several times – do not use force
  5. Check that the blockage is cleared before you turn the pump back on
  6. If you cannot clear the blockage, contact your healthcare professional
  7. Wash your hands
    NOTE: Do not use acid containing fluids such as fruit juice, fizzy drinks and/or sharp objects to try and unblock your tube.
Back to Top
What are Abbott Nutrition Services?

The Nutrition Services team provides advice on Abbott Nutrition products and services to patients, family members, carers and healthcare professionals. Please contact our friendly team on 1800 22 11 66.

Back to Top
Who is responsible for servicing my pump?

Abbott Nutrition will service your pump. To do this, they will deliver to you a newly serviced pump and take away the pump that requires servicing.

Please contact the Hospital to Home team on 1800 22 11 66 if you have additional questions about servicing your pump or if you think that the pump that you are currently using requires servicing. Remember these pumps are loaned to you by Abbott Nutrition so you will not be charged for receiving a newly serviced pump.

Back to Top
Will Abbott Nutrition supply me with a stand for my pump and portable carrying units for my feeding pump?

Yes. All home feeding pumps loaned to you by Abbott Nutrition are supplied with a tabletop metal stand (drip stand). Please use the drip stand as shown below

Pump Hang

  • The pump must be sitting flat on the surface with the dripstand attached to the back of the pump.
  • Do not use the pump and dripstand whilst on the floor. Ideally the pump and dripstand should be placed on the table next to you.

Abbott Nutrition also produce carry packs, which can be used with the ClearStar feeding pump, to allow you to continue feeding even when you are out and about, or travelling. Please ask your healthcare professional for more information or contact our Hospital to Home team on 1800 22 11 66.

Back to Top
Can Abbott Nutritional drinks be frozen?

Yes. To consume your nutritional drink frozen, we would recommend that you pour your drink into a clean, freezer safe container and then freeze. You can then eat the frozen drink with a teaspoon. Once thawed the drink should not be refrozen.

Back to Top
Can electrolytes be added to tube feeds?

No. Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium should not be added to your tube feed as this will affect the stability, osmolality and viscosity of the feed.

Back to Top
What should I do if my feeding tube is leaking?

Contact your doctor, public health nurse or dietitian.

Back to Top
Where do my giving sets & syringes come from?

Your public health nurse will order your supply of giving sets and syringes for you each month. However, you will need to contact your public health nurse at least one week prior to when your supply of giving sets and syringes are due to run out so that the public health nurse can place your order.

Back to Top
What should I do with the used giving sets and feeding container once I have finished with them?

Any used giving sets and feed containers can be rinsed and recycled or discarded with your household waste.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutrition feeds lactose free?

Yes. All nutritional drinks and tube feeds provided by Abbott Nutrition are clinically lactose free and are therefore suitable for both adults and children with lactose intolerance.

If you are unsure and would like further advice please contact nutrition services on 1800 22 11 66.

Back to Top
What should I do if I do not want my nutritional drink anymore?

If you do not want to take your prescribed nutritional drinks anymore, you must speak to your doctor, nurse or dietitian so that they can check that you are receiving enough nutrients to meet your needs.

If it is because you do not like the taste or texture of the nutritional drinks, there is an extensive range of flavours, styles and textures available from Abbott Nutrition that you can try. People who do not like the taste of milk often prefer the juice style drinks. People who do not like sweet drinks enjoy the savoury style drinks.

Visit the recipe section of the website for tasty ideas on how to include your nutritional drinks into your cooking.

Back to Top
Are Abbott Nutritional drinks suitable for children?

Abbott Nutrition provides a comprehensive range of nutritional drinks and tube feeds called PaediaSure®, PaediaSure® Fibre, PaediaSure® Plus, PaediaSure® Plus Juce and PaediaSure® Plus Fibre that are specifically designed for children aged 1-10 years.

Ensure® Plus, Ensure® Plus Fibre, Ensure® Plus Juce, Ensure® Plus Crème and Enshake® are not intended for use in children under 6 years of age. However, their use in children under 6 years is left to the discretion of the healthcare professional.

Back to Top
Do Abbott Nutrition add colouring agents to the PaediaSure® range of products?

Colouring agents are not permitted in foods specifically designed for infants and children under 3 years of age. As the PaediaSure® range of products are designed specifically for children, we have not added colouring agents.

Back to Top