Digestive disorders were encountered at least once by each person. Everyone knows what these unpleasant sensations are: nausea, pain, flatulence, indigestion. Many different drugs help with these symptoms, but Pancreatin Forte is considered the best. This is an enzyme that normalizes digestion and improves the condition in many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is considered safe, as it contains substances normally present in the human digestive tract, but which are not enough for various disorders and errors in nutrition.
What is "pancreatin"
This name was given to pancreatic juice , which contains enzymes important for digestion. In the 17th century, doctors determined that it was he who was involved in the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. But only after 200 years, scientists found that without pancreatin, fats are not at all able to break down, unlike proteins and carbohydrates, which are digested by other enzymes. It is precisely because of this that in patients with impaired activity of the gastrointestinal tract, fatty foods are not absorbed at all. And scientists were able to isolate this substance from the pancreatic extract of cows and pigs. At first, the digestive aid was a very bitter powder. But it was ineffective, since the enzymes were broken down in the stomach, not reaching the intestines. And only modern tablets of a small size, coated with a special shell, effectively perform their functions.
Drug characteristics
Pancreatin Forte is a round, coated tablet that is enteric-soluble. This is necessary so that the enzymes, once in the stomach, do not immediately collapse under the influence of its acidic environment. The preparation contains enzymes necessary for digestion: amylase, lipase, trypsin and protease. They are released in the intestines and are involved in the processing of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Therefore, the effect of the drug is felt half an hour after taking it.
On sale you can find another type of drug - "Pancreatin Forte 14000". Instructions for use of this drug will be discussed below. The manufacturer adds the word "health" to the name, since this remedy is more suitable for preventive treatment and relieve unpleasant symptoms with errors in nutrition. This drug contains a lower concentration of enzymes, so it is recommended to start therapy with it. If he does not help, then they switch to Pancreatin Forte. For children, “Health” is more suitable.
What is the difference between Pancreatin and Pancreatin Forte
On sale you can find several drugs with the same name. All of them contain the active substance pancreatin - a mixture of digestive enzymes. Many people think that the prefix “forte” means that the drug is stronger and works better. In fact, the content of enzymes in them is the same. "Forte" - this means that the shell of the tablet is strengthened and will not dissolve in the stomach. Due to this, the enzymes enter the intestine, begin to act there, and after work are excreted in the feces. Therefore, it is believed that Pancreatin Forte is more effective and has a long lasting effect.
Drug action
Pancreatin Forte is an enzyme preparation that is needed in case of pancreatic gland malfunction, when it produces few enzymes. This remedy also compensates for the activity of the liver with insufficient production of bile. 30-40 minutes after ingestion, when the tablet enters the intestines and its shell dissolves, Pancreatin Forte begins to act. The instruction notes that it has the following effects on the body:
- speeds up the digestion of food;
- stimulates the formation of enzymes by the pancreas and stomach;
- promotes better protein breakdown to produce amino acids;
- improves the absorption of fats and starch, as well as the breakdown of fiber;
- relieves abdominal pain;
- calms the active activity of the pancreas;
- reduces gassing in the intestines;
- relieves a feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
- has a choleretic effect;
- improves the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Who needs to take enzyme preparations?
"Pancreatin Forte", like other similar means, is necessary for everyone who often has digestive disorders. It helps with errors in nutrition, overeating, or in violation of the chewing function associated with dental diseases. Many drink it with heartburn, flatulence and bloating. Assign Pancreatin Forte to patients who are forced to remain stationary for a long time, for example, after operations or injuries. It is also useful for healthy people when eating too greasy or junk food, with irregular diet or a sedentary lifestyle. But most often this remedy is prescribed for various chronic diseases of the digestive system. Many of the patients need to take it constantly. Often, this tool is also recommended for elderly people with a lack of enzyme function of the pancreas.
What diseases is the drug good for?
Although this remedy can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription, most often it is prescribed by the doctor that Pancreatin Forte is used. The instruction for use notes that it is most effective for such diseases:
- chronic pancreatitis;
- insufficiency of the secretory function of the pancreas after pancreatectomy or irradiation;
- cystic fibrosis;
- chronic inflammatory diseases of the stomach, for example, gastritis with reduced secretory function;
- gastroduodenitis, enterocolitis;
- flatulence;
- bowel disorders;
- gastrocardial syndrome.
The drug is also used to prepare the gastrointestinal tract for x-ray or ultrasound examination of the digestive system.
"Pancreatin Forte": instructions for use
Tablets at admission should not be crushed or chewed. They should only be swallowed whole, washed down with plenty of water. The dosage should be determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. Usually, adults are not recommended to exceed the dosage of Pancreatin Forte 14,000 units of lipase enzyme per kilogram of weight. This is 2-3 tablets of the drug three times a day after meals. But most often they drink 1 tablet 3 times a day. You can take this medicine once if the digestive process is disturbed. For prophylactic purposes, Pancreatin Forte 14000 is recommended. The instruction notes that it effectively normalizes digestion. In difficult cases, with a violation of the secretory function of the pancreas, the drug can be taken constantly, regularly consulting with a doctor.
Contraindications
Although the drug is considered relatively safe, but still not everyone can use it. Enzymes, which are its main active ingredient, are isolated from gastric juice and pig bile. Therefore, often there are allergic reactions to it. In addition, it contains lactose, therefore it is contraindicated for people with its intolerance. It is not recommended to use "Pancreatin Forte" in the following cases:
- with acute pantcreatitis;
- with exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis;
- with serious violations of the liver;
- with hepatitis;
- gallstone disease;
- bowel obstruction;
- in children under 3 years old;
- during pregnancy and during lactation;
- with individual intolerance.
Side effects
Typically, the drug is well tolerated, and after taking it, the condition only improves. But sometimes there can be side effects. Most often, they occur with individual intolerance or improper administration, for example, with an overdose. The following phenomena can be observed:
- allergic reactions;
- nausea, abdominal pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- bowel obstruction;
- lack of folic acid and iron.
Special instructions for taking the drug
This enzyme agent strongly affects the absorption processes of not only food, but also various drugs. Therefore, if you need to take several drugs, you need to consult a doctor. It is not recommended to drink antacids based on magnesium or calcium, as well as alcohol-containing solutions together with Pancreatin Forte, as they weaken the effect of the drug. Patients with diabetes should be careful, because enzymes worsen the sugar-lowering effect of some drugs. But sulfonamides and antibiotics are better absorbed by enzymes.
People who are forced to drink this drug for a long time, it is recommended to take iron supplements in addition, since pancreatic enzymes greatly complicate its absorption. Patients with cystic fibrosis should be careful with such agents. They should be prescribed by the doctor, and it depends heavily on the quantity and quality of food taken.
Analogues of the drug
There are many enzyme preparations used to improve digestion. People with diseases of the stomach and pancreas should consult a doctor to recommend the right drug. According to the presence of enzymes and features of the action, there are several drugs.
- The most famous is Mezim Forte. The composition of these funds is completely similar, only the manufacturer and the percentage of enzymes are different. Therefore, people react differently to these drugs. And often, many people think what to drink: Pancreatin or Mezim Forte. Which is better, can be determined only after taking them.
- The drug "Creon" is available in different dosages. It contains the same enzymes as Pancreatin, but is produced in Germany and costs 6-7 times more expensive than it. The convenience of this drug is that it is available in gelatin capsules, soluble in the intestine.
- Panzim and Panzinorm medicines are also made in Germany. They have greater enzymatic activity. In addition to pancreatin, they also contain bile and the mucous membrane of the stomach of cattle.
- Festal and Enzistal are very similar in action. These are products of Indian pharmacists. In addition to pancreatic enzymes, they contain bovine bile.
These are the most well-known medications containing pancreatin. In addition to them, several other drugs have the same composition and similar effect: Normoenzyme, Gastenorm, Mikrazim, Forestal, Pankrenorm, Solizim, Enzibene, Hermitage and others.
Reviews on the use of Pancreatin Forte
Many people respond positively about this drug. They believe that, compared with expensive imported counterparts, Pancreatin Forte works just as well. Reviews about him note that he relieves abdominal pain with indigestion or overeating, is effective in chronic gastritis and pancreatitis. Some people constantly have this drug in their medicine cabinet, taking it whenever they notice a heaviness in the abdomen and increased gas formation. Patients with diseases of the stomach also often choose “Pancreatin Forte” from all enzyme preparations. Many people say that although it is inexpensive, it effectively helps digestion, quickly removing nausea and pain. Especially for those who have a healthy stomach and who occasionally have to take the drug, it is better to buy a cheaper Pancreatin Forte for 50 rubles than Mezim for 250 rubles. And according to consumer reviews, they have exactly the same effect.