Pancreatin Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Pancreatin Capsule contains pancreatin, a combination of digestive enzymes (amylases, lipases, and proteases) derived from pork, normally produced by the pancreas. It is used to replace digestive enzymes when the body does not make enough of its own, such as in cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or after pancreas surgery. It helps digest fats, proteins, and sugars, and supports better nutrient absorption.

What is Pancreatin Capsule

Pancreatin is a combination of digestive enzymes (proteins) that are normally produced by the pancreas and are important for digesting fats, proteins, and sugars. It is a mixture of porcine-derived pancreatic enzymes including amylases, lipases, and proteases. It belongs to the drug class of digestive enzymes.

Pancreatin Capsule uses

• Replacing digestive enzymes when the body does not have enough of its own, due to conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or pancreas surgery
• Treating steatorrhea (loose, fatty stools)
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Surgeries on the upper gastrointestinal tract (gastric bypass surgery or gastrectomy)

Benefits of Pancreatin Capsule

• Helps improve digestion of food when the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes
• Assists in breaking down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
• Helps reduce bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, and indigestion caused by pancreatic enzyme deficiency
• Helps reduce fatty or greasy stools (steatorrhea) and diarrhea related to poor digestion
• Improves nutrient absorption and may help maintain body weight in people with pancreatic insufficiency
• Commonly used in conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or after pancreatic surgery

How Pancreatin Capsule works

Pancreatin works by improving the digestion of food in people who don't have enough of their own pancreatic enzymes, which are needed to break down food.

Pancreatin Capsule dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor; do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take with a meal or snack, along with a full glass of water. Do not hold the tablet in your mouth, as it may irritate the inside of your mouth. Do not crush, chew, or break the capsule or tablet; swallow it whole.

Pancreatic enzymes work best when taken at the start of meals. Take before each meal or snack, including formula or breast milk for infants. When opening capsules, do not mix the enzymes with milk or milk-based foods, since the lactose may break down the special coating on the beads. Some foods like popsicles, hard candy, or fruit juices do not require pancreatic enzymes to digest.

If a meal takes longer than 30 minutes, it may help to split the dose, taking part at the start and the rest partway through the meal. For young children who cannot swallow pills, the beads can be sprinkled without crushing onto a small amount of soft, acidic food that does not need chewing, such as applesauce.

Use regularly to get the most benefit; you may need to use this medicine for the rest of your life. Follow any special diet plan created by your doctor or nutrition counselor. Do not skip doses. If your doctor changes your brand, strength, or type of pancreatin, your dosage needs may change.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Capsule
• Granules
• Powder

Side effects of Pancreatin Capsule

Common

• Nausea
• Mild stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Mild skin rash
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Constipation
• Itching

Serious

• Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Severe stomach pain
• Swollen or painful joints
• Any changes in your symptoms
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Headaches
• Wheezing
• Difficulty talking
• Dizziness
• Collapse

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take pancreatin if you are allergic to pork proteins, or if you have a sudden flare-up of pancreatitis or a worsening long-term pancreas problem
• Tell your doctor if you have gout, asthma, or any allergies before taking this medicine
• Do not take other digestive enzymes at the same time unless your doctor tells you to
• Avoid taking an antacid within 1 hour before or after taking pancreatin
• This medicine is not recommended for people with a known allergy to pancreatin from pigs, or to other ingredients in the product
• This medicine is not recommended for people with fibrosing colonopathy, because it could make the condition worse
• This medicine is not recommended for people with a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, because it could make the condition worse
• Use with caution in people with gout, kidney problems, or high uric acid levels, as this medicine can raise uric acid levels
• Long-term use of high doses may increase the risk of a bowel condition called fibrosing colonopathy
• Do not crush the capsule or tablet, or hold it in your mouth, because it can irritate the lining of the mouth. Do not crush it or mix it into food with a pH of 4.5 or higher
• If you have lactose intolerance, talk to your provider before taking pancreatin, since many products contain lactose
• Do not give laxatives or antacids to children taking higher strength pancreatin products, as this could increase the risk of intestinal damage
• Taking too many pancreatic enzymes may be harmful and can potentially damage the intestines
• It is not known whether pancreatin will harm an unborn baby. Do not use pancreatin without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.
• It is not known whether pancreatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding.
• This medicine should be used with caution in people with kidney disease due to an increased risk of severe side effects. Close monitoring of kidney function, dose adjustments, or an alternative medicine may be needed.
• It is not known how this medicine interacts with alcohol. It is best to check with your doctor before drinking alcohol.
• This medicine does not cause sleepiness.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place, generally below 25°C unless the product label specifies otherwise
• Protect from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight
• Keep the container tightly closed
• Do not freeze
• Keep out of reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Call your doctor right away if you have severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe stomach pain; swollen or painful joints; or any changes in your symptoms
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse while using this medicine
• If you take too much, seek emergency medical attention or contact poison control right away
• Severe allergic reactions are a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction or shock, seek immediate medical attention

Alternatives

• Viokace
• Pancreaze
• Zenpep
• Creon
• Pancrelipase