Dawaa Reference

chronic

Paralytic ileus

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources3 sources

ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class DD99.01 - condition scope only, no dose · No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care · Postoperative Ileus - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560780/

Verified against1 document
  • No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care

Verified date2026-08

Presentation reference

Is it this?

Reference only, to read alongside your own examination.

Symptoms — what the patient reports (3)

  • Abdominal bloating builds up gradually, unlike the sudden onset typical of mechanical obstruction [abdominal distension]
  • Pain tends to be diffuse and constant, without signs of peritoneal irritation
  • Nausea, vomiting, inability to pass gas and intolerance of food by mouth are typical [nausea · vomiting]

Signs — what you find (2)

  • The abdomen is distended and drum-like, with mild diffuse tenderness on exam
  • Bowel sounds are typically sparse or absent, unlike the hyperactive sounds heard early in mechanical obstruction

Tests (4)

  • Plain abdominal x-rays are usually the first imaging obtained
  • Films taken lying and standing may show dilated small-bowel loops, but with gas still reaching the colon and rectum and no clear transition point
  • An abdominal CT with oral and intravenous contrast helps pinpoint a transition point and exclude a tumour or abscess
  • Blood work looks for reversible triggers such as low potassium, plus a complete blood count and electrolyte panel

If not this — what else fits (3)

  • Unlike ileus, a postoperative obstruction often shows bowel function briefly returning before nausea, vomiting and pain flare back up
  • Severe pain, feculent vomiting, or rapidly worsening distension point toward obstruction rather than ileus
  • Intra-abdominal abscess and bowel perforation must also be excluded, since they may need an intervention

SourceStatPearls "Ileus" - disease-level clinical article

Presentation findings are traced to the source above.

1

NO DRUG THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE (REFERRAL & ADVICE)

1st line
Adult dose and duration

Absence of normal bowel peristalsis without mechanical obstruction, often postoperative or drug-induced, causing distension, vomiting, and constipation. Needs hospital admission for bowel rest, NG decompression, IV fluids, and correction of the underlying cause; GP's role is to advise nothing by mouth and arrange urgent referral. - Refer, with advice

Paediatric dose

Children follow the same pathway: recognise and refer. No primary-care medicine is implied.

Dose source

No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care

Why

Absence of normal bowel peristalsis without mechanical obstruction, often postoperative or drug-induced, causing distension, vomiting, and constipation. Needs hospital admission for bowel rest, NG decompression, IV fluids, and correction of the underlying cause; GP's role is to advise nothing by mouth and arrange urgent referral.

Cautions
  • No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care - this entry is for recognition and referral. Anything given is decided by the service it is referred to.
  • RED FLAG - Severe pain, fever, or peritonism suggesting bowel ischemia or perforation, significant electrolyte derangement, or prolonged vomiting with dehydration.

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.