The pancreas is an important organ on the functioning of which not only the digestion process, but also the production of insulin, one of the most important hormones in the human body, depends. In case of pancreatic inflammation, gastroenterologists often prescribe Pancreatin-LekT to their patients. What does he help from? Dragees are a specially synthesized analogue of human enzymes for which the pancreas is responsible. Thus, taking the medicine can in some way replace the activity of the organ. The medicine "Pancreatin-LekT" has established itself as a high-quality drug that has been tested by the time and experience of many patients.
Composition and form of release
The drug has only one form of release - a dragee in a pink shell, which dissolves when it enters the intestines. To buy, you do not need a prescription from a doctor, "Pancreatin-LekT" is quite cheap (about 120 rubles per pack with 30 tablets). In the package, 2, 3 or 6 blisters are packaged, in each of which 10 tablets.
The main active ingredient of the drug is pancreatin. Excipients: milk sugar, gelatin, potato starch, calcium stearate, acetylphthalyl cellulose, titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide), liquid paraffin, polysorbate (tween-80), dye azorubine.
"Pancreatin-LekT" refers to the pharmacological group of drugs "Enzymes and antifermenta". This is a multienzyme preparation, the action of which is aimed at filling in the body a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes. Also, regular intake of the drug promotes the healthy absorption of protein, fatty and carbohydrate-containing foods. So, against the background of the course of treatment with the drug, not only the work of the pancreas improves, but also the well-being of the person as a whole.
Indications for use "Pancreatin-LekT"
What helps this drug? Of course, its main function is to establish normal digestion by healing the pancreas and cleansing its excretory ducts. In fact, the drug has many indications for use. It is usually prescribed by a gastroenterologist or therapist after receiving the results of a patient analysis.
The instructions for use with Pancreatin-LekT tablets indicate that the indications for using the drug are as follows:
- Chronic inflammation of the pancreas is pancreatitis, which, if untreated, can develop into pancreatic necrosis.
- Insufficient pancreatic enzyme production due to malnutrition and acquired bad habits (in particular, alcohol abuse will inevitably disrupt the enzyme production process).
- Hereditary diseases of the pancreas and excretory ducts.
- Inflammatory diseases of the digestive system.
- Substitution therapy due to resection of the pancreas or part thereof.
- Violation of the process of chewing and swallowing food.
The instruction for Pancreatin-LekT reports that tablets can also be used to alleviate the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, for pains of unclear etiology in the left hypochondrium after eating fatty foods and drinking alcohol, bloating, and constipation, accompanied by pain in the left hypochondrium.
Contraindications
As with any drug, Pancreatin-LekT has contraindications. Despite the fact that the medicine belongs to the group of enzymes and is relatively safe, in some cases, the reception can cause irreparable harm to the state of health. The instruction for tablets "Pancreatin-LekT" reports that the contraindications for use are as follows:
- acute pancreatitis;
- internal bleeding;
- cirrhotic state of the liver, exacerbation of chronic liver diseases;
- bowel obstruction;
- individual intolerance to pancreatin (this is the main active component of the drug);
- children under 3 years old.
Feasible side effects
Patient reviews report that in most cases, the medicine is well tolerated. However, in some cases, the following side effects may still develop:
- diarrhea and stool problems;
- bloating, flatulence;
- violation of the absorption and assimilation of folic acid;
- irritation of the perianal region;
- allergic reactions (if the patient is intolerant of pancreatin or other Pancreatin-LekT compound ingredients).
What can cause side effects if enzyme preparations are usually well tolerated? The patient should remember what he ate the day he took the pill. Often, improper nutrition in conjunction with the pill taken as a result provides an not entirely healthy reaction of the body. And the patient attributes this fact to the side effect of Pancreatin-LekT.
Drug interaction
The instruction for Pancreatin-LekT reports that with a long course of treatment with the drug, absorption of iron and folate may be impaired. As a result, hemoglobin decreases, and also disorders associated with folic acid deficiency occur. To avoid this, you should additionally take iron supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes with folic acid in the composition.
The simultaneous administration of Pancreatin-LekT with antacid preparations with calcium carbonate in the composition reduces the effect of enzymes. Thus, it is not advisable to take such drugs at the same time.
Recommended Dosages
Dragees should be taken orally with a large amount (at least half a glass) of non-alkaline liquid. Plain water, unsweetened tea or compote are suitable for this purpose. Taking the pill should coincide with the meal, optimally - after eating a healthy, low-fat meal.
The dosage of Pancreatin-LekT is selected by the attending gastroenterologist on an individual basis, depending on the clinical picture of the disease.
As a rule, one dragee is prescribed after each meal. However, in order to prevent exacerbation, the doctor can prescribe a treatment regimen that involves taking two tablets after each meal.
Symptoms of pancreatitis: when to start treatment?
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreatic tissue. The ducts are blocked to remove the fermented juice, as a result of which part of the food is simply not digested. In some patients, digestion stops, resulting in pain and belching of hydrogen sulfide. Pancreatitis can be diagnosed to both adults and children. "Pancreatin-LekT" significantly alleviates the condition in patients of any age. Being an analogue of natural enzymes, the drug promotes the launch of digestion and better digestion. The tool can be used to relieve pancreatitis in children from three years of age and older.
How to understand when to start treatment with Pancreatin-LekT? From what exactly does it help, will the pain go away, and if so, through how much? If the pain is too severe, then you should call an ambulance, because in patients with chronic pancreatitis there is always a high risk of complicating the condition to pancreatic necrosis.
The main symptoms that Pancreatin-LekT will help get rid of:
- heaviness in the abdomen after eating;
- drawing pain in the left hypochondrium after eating (with the exception of acute and colicky pain);
- the presence of undigested pieces of food in the feces;
- feeling of nausea and taste of hydrogen sulfide in the oral cavity after eating.
Causes of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis develops for the following reasons:
- alcohol abuse;
- a diet in which fats abound;
- regular overeating;
- nutritional obesity;
- hormonal disorders.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to fight it. If there is a suspicion of developing pancreatitis, then you should consult a doctor. In the early stages, you can avoid taking medications by simply following a strict diet and giving up bad habits.
The consequences of untreated pancreatitis
If you do not take any action, refuse to take enzymes in dosage form and continue to eat improperly, then the consequences will be very sad. Pancreatitis is dangerous because it can go into the acute stage. In this case, the pain becomes unbearable, and often even special preparations can not clean the bile ducts. In this case, there is a high risk of developing pancreatic necrosis, that is, the death of an organ or its parts.
The pancreas can be removed surgically. Alas, after surgery, the patient's life expectancy may become somewhat less.
Patient reviews about the drug with exacerbation of pancreatitis
Reviews about "Pancreatin-LekT" report that regular medication helps to live a full life and forget about digestive problems. In parallel with treatment, it is important to stop drinking alcohol, as well as adjust your diet. Reviews of patients with pancreatitis also report that if you revise your diet, then the symptoms of pancreatitis go away for many years.
There are also negative reviews. Usually they are associated with the fact that the duration of treatment is too short. If you take the drug only from time to time, there will be no sense. Only regular use of "Pancreatin-LekT" will help get rid of the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis and establish digestion.
The importance of proper nutrition during treatment
If you do not change your diet, then even regular intake of tablets with enzymes in the composition will not help to achieve remission. The diet for pancreatitis should be based on the following principles:
- All cooking ingredients must be thoroughly boiled. Even fruits should be kept in the microwave for two to three minutes. The body is quite difficult to digest raw fruits and vegetables without enough enzymes.
- All cooking ingredients must be thoroughly ground. Otherwise, even when taking Pancreatin-LekT, digestion will be difficult.
- You should abandon the use of any alcoholic beverages, since even scanty doses of ethyl alcohol are harmful to the pancreas. It is especially harmful for the digestive system to consume alcohol on an empty stomach or snack on fatty, junk food.
- Limit black coffee and strong tea. Exclude carbonated sugary drinks from the diet completely.
Analogs of the drug according to the principle of action
The pharmacological market offers the consumer a lot of drugs, in which the main active ingredient is enzymes. Pancreatin-LekT is one of the cheapest and time-tested drugs. However, it may not be available at the pharmacy. Then the patient can consider the following drug options with a similar principle of action:
- Mezim
- Pancreon
- "Festal";
- "Prolipase";
- Enzystal.
The exact dosage of any of the above drugs should be prescribed by a doctor. Depending on the diagnosis and the clinical picture, someone may need two to three tablets after each meal, and someone may need one.