Pancreatinum (Porcine)

Pancreatinum (Porcine) is a mixture of several digestive enzymes produced by the exocrine cells of the porcine pancreas.

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 — that are needed for proper digestion. Pancreatin is used as medicine.

Contents

• Uses
• Benefits
• Cautions
• Interactions
• Other names
• References

Uses

• Pancreatin is used to treat digestion problems that result when the pancreas has been removed or is not working well. Cystic fibrosis or ongoing swelling (chronic pancreatitis) are two of the conditions that can cause the pancreas to function poorly.

Benefits

 

Pancreatin is a combination of digestive enzymes (proteins). These enzymes are normally produced by the pancreas and are important for digesting fats, proteins, and sugars.

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 may also be used to treat a condition called steatorrhea (loose, fatty stools).

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

• 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:

Healthline, http://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-liver-extract#2

WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-254-pancreatin.aspx?activeingredientid=254&activeingredientname=pancreatin