Pancreatin Benefits, Risks, and Must-Know Tips for Safe Use

Pancreatin is a mixture of digestive enzymes, primarily amylase, lipase, and protease, naturally produced by the exocrine cells of the pancreas. It is used to treat conditions in which pancreatic secretions are deficient. A similar mixture of enzymes is sold as pancrelipase, which contains more active lipase enzyme than does pancreatin.

What is Pancreatin and Pancrelipase?

Pancreatin is a mixture of several digestive enzymes produced by the exocrine cells of the pancreas. It is composed of amylase, lipase and protease. Pancrelipase is a similar mixture of enzymes that contains more active lipase enzyme than does pancreatin. Pancrelipases are generally a first-line approach in the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and other digestive disorders. The formulations are generally hard capsules filled with gastro-resistant granules.

How Does Pancreatin Work?

The enzymes in pancreatin play a crucial role in digestion:

Trypsin: Hydrolyzes proteins into oligopeptides.
Amylase: Hydrolyzes starches into oligosaccharides and the disaccharide maltose.
Lipase: Hydrolyzes triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerols.

Common Uses of Pancreatin and Pancrelipase

Pancreatin and pancrelipase are primarily prescribed to manage conditions where the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes. These conditions include:

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI): Pancrelipases are generally a first-line approach in treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Cystic Fibrosis: Pancreatin replaces the enzymes which normally come from the pancreas, and will help your body digest fats, starch and protein.
Pancreatitis: Used to treat conditions in which pancreatic secretions are deficient, such as pancreatitis.
Surgical Pancreatectomy: Pancreatin replaces the enzymes which normally come from the pancreas, and will help your body digest fats, starch and protein.
Other Digestive Disorders: Pancreatin replaces the enzymes which normally come from the pancreas, and will help your body digest fats, starch and protein.

Dosage and Administration

Take pancreatin exactly as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will tell you how much to take, and may adjust your dose from time to time to make sure it continues to be the right dose for you. You will need to take pancreatin every time you eat a meal or a snack. It is also important that you have plenty to drink with pancreatin. Take your doses either immediately before, or at the same time as, or immediately after, eating your food. This is because acid in your stomach can stop pancreatin from working. The food you are eating will help protect the enzymes from the acid. Pancreatin is available in a variety of different strengths and formulations. Carefully follow the directions for how to take the preparation you have been given. Some preparations can be mixed with food; others need to be swallowed whole and must not be chewed. Some capsules and granules are specially coated to protect them from stomach acid - these need to be taken with slightly acidic fruit juices such as apple or orange. Do not mix pancreatin with very hot food or liquids. Heat will stop pancreatin from working properly. Do not store mixtures of pancreatin; take your dose as soon as possible after mixing with food or drink.

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Potential Side Effects

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome. Common pancreatin side-effects - these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine:

Gastrointestinal Issues: Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), loose stools (diarrhoea), tummy (abdominal) pain. Discuss this with your doctor, as the dose you are taking may need adjusting. Let your doctor know straightaway if, after taking pancreatin for some time, you develop any new or severe pain or sickness.
Constipation: Remember to drink plenty of water/fluids.
Mouth Irritation: Swallow pancreatin quickly so that it doesn't stay in your mouth for long. Let your doctor know about this.
Sore or Itchy Bottom: (often when taking high doses) Let your doctor know about this.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions and Contraindications

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking pancreatin it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are allergic to pork protein.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding (although pancreatin is not known to be harmful).
If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Sudden/severe swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis).
Sudden worsening of long-term disease of the pancreas.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: acarbose, miglitol. Does interact with other drugs you are taking? Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker.

Special Considerations for Specific Populations

Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Children with cystic fibrosis need a high fat and carbohydrate diet. Your doctor will ask a dietician to give you detailed advice. High-energy drink supplements and vitamin supplements may also be needed.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Storage Instructions

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. Please check the manufacturer's information leaflet that comes with your medicine for any special storage instructions.

Overdose Information

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

The Importance of Medical Supervision

Given the potential for some adverse reactions like allergic reactions, mucosal irritation, electrolyte imbalance, drug interactions, and overdose-related harm-it is imperative that pancreatin usage is individualized, medically supervised, and regularly monitored. Over-the-counter access to poorly regulated enzyme supplements only increases the need for public education and clinical vigilance.

Pancreatin as a Therapeutic Agent

Ultimately, pancreatin is a therapeutic agent-not a lifestyle supplement. At Creative Enzymes, we recognize the therapeutic importance of enzymes when applied appropriately. That's why we offer pharmaceutical-grade pancreatin alongside a comprehensive selection of purified enzymes, including protease, lipase, and amylase. Designed for clinical research, pharmaceutical formulation, and diagnostic use, our enzyme products meet the highest standards of quality and purity.

Additional Advice

Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. If you have cystic fibrosis, there will be many aspects to your treatment and you may need to go to a number of different clinics.
Treatment with pancreatin is usually long-term. Continue to take it unless you are advised otherwise.
Each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure you have been given the same brand as before. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist to check for you.
If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines.

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