Many disorders of the digestive tract occur due to secretory insufficiency of the pancreas. Lack of enzymes slows down the digestion of food, impaired absorption of nutrients. As a result, flatulence, bloating, pain and indigestion occur. Very often in such cases, patients are advised to take Pancreatinum. Side effects from taking this drug are rare, as it has a very simple natural composition. But still, you should not take the drug for a long time without a doctor's prescription and you should not exceed the recommended dosage.
General characteristics of the drug
The medicine "Pancreatin" is made on the basis of the pancreas of cattle or pigs. Pancreatic enzymes that are involved in digestion are isolated from the gland. They accelerate the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. Many people know why they take Pancreatin tablets, which is why this medicine is quite popular. Moreover, his price is low - from 20 to 50 rubles per pack.
The active substance of the drug is pancreatin, which contains the main pancreatic enzymes. These are lipase, amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. They help break down fats, proteins and starch into easily digestible substances. The drug is available in enteric-coated tablets, so the enzymes are not destroyed by the acidic contents of the stomach. Their concentration in 1 tablet is 25 units. They are released only in the small intestine, which increases the effectiveness of the drug.
What is the effect of "Pancreatin"
The use of this drug is indicated for many pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. It helps to normalize the pancreas and improve digestion. "Pancreatin" improves the condition of the entire digestive tract and accelerates the absorption of nutrients. The effectiveness of the drug is explained by the following properties of its active substance:
- breaks down carbohydrates to dextrins and simple sugars;
- breaks down fats to fatty acids;
- proteins to amino acids;
- accelerates the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients by improving the secretory function of the stomach;
- eliminates flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea associated with eating heavy food.
But the main purpose of Pancreatin is that it removes the load from the diseased pancreas, replacing its functions, so all digestion processes are normalized.
What are Pancreatin tablets taken from?
This drug can be used alone or as part of a comprehensive treatment. It is recommended to drink it while slowing digestion due to a sedentary lifestyle or a violation of chewing function. Therefore, this drug is often used in old age. It is also effective for facilitating digestion after overeating, eating large amounts of fatty foods. Assign "Pancreatin" before a diagnostic examination of the digestive tract, for example, before an ultrasound scan. In these cases, it can be taken separately for a short time.
Course use of the drug is indicated for various diseases of the digestive system. At the same time, Pancreatin is often prescribed in conjunction with other drugs. Indications for its use are such pathologies:
- chronic pancreatitis;
- exocrine pancreatic insufficiency ;
- chronic inflammatory pathologies of the liver and gall bladder - non-infectious hepatitis, fibrosis, cholecystitis;
- chronic gastritis, duodenitis, enterocolitis;
- cystic fibrosis;
- helminthic infestations and other parasitic diseases;
- conditions associated with surgical operations on the pancreas and small intestine;
- with chronic dyspepsia;
- after irradiation;
- with blockage of the biliary tract;
- with the frequent occurrence of such symptoms of flatulence, diarrhea, nausea;
- after taking hormonal and antibacterial drugs.
What side effects may occur
Typically, Pancreatin is well tolerated by patients. It has a low concentration of enzymes, so side effects rarely occur. “Pancreatin” contains an extract from the pancreas of cows or pigs, so individual intolerance is the most common negative reaction to it. It is expressed in the appearance of a rash, urticaria, skin itching, and lacrimation. In rare cases, the development of bronchospasm or anaphylactic shock is possible.
In addition, if used improperly, other side effects of Pancreatinum may appear:
- nausea, vomiting;
- increased gas formation;
- pain and heaviness in the abdomen;
- diarrhea;
- constipation or even bowel obstruction.
If such reactions occur, you need to stop taking the drug and consult a doctor. Perhaps it would be appropriate to simply reduce its dosage or replace it with an analog. Systemic side effects of "Pancreatin" rarely appear, since its active components are not absorbed into the blood.
Drug overdose
Sometimes patients note in reviews that they have a stomach ache after "Pancreatin". This can happen with individual intolerance, as well as in case of overdose. Long-term use of "Pancreatin" or its use in large quantities can cause intestinal upset. Indeed, the frequent intake of enzymes leads to a decrease in the secretory function of the pancreas. And a large number of them causes an increase in intestinal motility. This may explain why diarrhea occurs after taking Pancreatin.
In addition, prolonged intake of enzymes can lead to an increase in uric acid in the blood and urine. This can cause stones to form in the bladder. And in children, a large number of enzymes can cause irritation of the oral mucosa and anus. But overdose cases are rare, since even 50 tablets is an acceptable dose - they contain a daily dose of lipase. But such an amount can be used only as directed by a doctor.
Rules for the use of "Pancreatin"
Although this drug is relatively safe, it is undesirable to take it without a doctor’s prescription. There are certain contraindications for taking Pancreatinum:
- acute pancreatitis;
- bowel obstruction;
- individual intolerance to the components of the product;
- acute liver failure;
- obstructive jaundice;
- viral hepatitis;
- children under 3 years old, but most often use the drug only after 6 years and as directed by a doctor.
"Pancreatinum": application instruction
Tablets for adults are recommended to drink 3-6 times a day. Since this drug is intended to replace enzymes that are involved in the digestion of food, its intake depends on it. It is very important when to drink "Pancreatinum": before meals or after. Most often, it is recommended to be taken with meals. The tablets are swallowed whole without chewing. You can drink them with clean water, milk or tea. With this method, enzymes enter the intestine with food, since the membrane dissolves only there. And the drug will act more efficiently.
The instruction for use by adults of the Pancreatin tablet recommends consuming no more than 16-18 pieces per day. Most often they are drunk 2-4 pieces 3-6 times a day, depending on the number of meals and the severity of the patient's condition. The duration of treatment may also be different. In mild cases, it is enough to take Pancreatin for several days, most often it is prescribed for a course of 2-3 months. Sometimes the patient needs constant replacement therapy, then the drug is taken for several years.
Features of the use of the drug
When taking Pancreatin, drug compatibility must be considered. This drug may impair the effectiveness of certain drugs. For example, it slows down the absorption of iron preparations, folic acid, antithrombotic agents, acetylsalicylic acid. Conversely, if you take "Pancreatin" together with antacids, it may decrease its effectiveness. In addition, this drug is completely incompatible with alcohol. At the time of treatment, you must refuse to take alcoholic beverages.
With cystic fibrosis, the dosage should be strictly individual. It is not recommended for such patients to take "Pancreatinum" in large doses, since it is possible to develop strictures in the intestine.
Analogs and substitutes of the drug
Pancreatin is a Russian-made drug. It is produced by various pharmaceutical companies. In addition, there are many Pancreatin substitutes on the market that are also based on extracts from the pancreas of cattle and pigs. Of these, the most famous are Mezim Forte, Mikrazim, Festal, and Enzistal. They are used for the same indications, for example, to improve digestion when eating heavy food or in violation of chewing function. And with various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, drugs with a similar composition, but containing a higher concentration of enzymes, are used. These are Panzinorm, Creon, Pangrol, Hermitage and others. All these drugs are interchangeable, most importantly, pay attention to the dosage.