Pancreatin
- Pancreatin is usually obtained from the pancreas of pigs or cows. The pancreas is an organ in animals and people that makes chemicals — amylase, lipase, and protease. These enzymes are normally produced by the pancreas and are important for digesting fats, proteins, and sugars.
Contents
Uses
- Pancreatin is used to replace digestive enzymes when the body does not have enough of its own. Certain medical conditions can cause this lack of enzymes, such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or pancreas surgery.
Pancreatin is also used for:
- intestinal gas (flatulence)
- Digestive aid.
- A condition called steatorrhea (loose, fatty stools).
Benefits
- Pancreatin contains amylase, lipase, and protease – chemicals that help to digest food. These chemicals are normally produced by the pancreas.
Cautions
- Pancreatin is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth by people with pancreas problems who cannot digest food properly. However, some pancreatin products contaminated by Salmonella bacteria have caused illness. Be sure to get pancreatin from a trusted source.
- Pancreatin can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth and skin irritation, and allergic reactions. High doses can cause problems such as high blood levels of a substance called uric acid, as well as colon damage.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:
- Acarbose (Precose, Prandase) interacts with PANCREATIN: Acarbose (Precose, Prandase) is used to help treat type 2 diabetes. Acarbose (Precose, Prandase) works by decreasing how quickly foods are broken down. Pancreatin seems to help the body break down some foods. By helping the body break down foods pancreatin might decrease the effectiveness of Acarbose (Precose, Prandase).
Other Names
Enzyme Therapy, Fungal Pancreatin, Pancreatina, Pancréatine, Pancréatine Fongique, Pancreatinum, Pancreatis Pulvis, Thérapie Enzymatique.
References
- Source: www.drugs.com/mtm/pancreatin-4x.html
- Source: WebMD, “Pancreatin”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/