HOW DO PANCREATIC/DIGESTIVE ENZYMES WORK?
Pancreatic supplements contain pancreatic enzymes, which aid the pancreas to produce abundant natural enzymes required for digestion in pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic enzymes help to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. A healthy pancreas secretes about eight cups of pancreatic juice into the duodenum daily. The pancreatic juice consists of pancreatic enzymes and bicarbonate that help with digestion and neutralization of stomach acid, respectively.
Pancreatic insufficiency is the inability of the pancreas to secrete enzymes needed for digestion. Some conditions that may cause pancreatic insufficiency include:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Surgery
- Blockage or narrowing of the pancreatic or biliary duct
- Pancreatic or duodenal tumors
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pancreatitis
Thus, pancreatic supplements are essential for the pancreas during pancreatic insufficiency.
HOW ARE PANCREATIC/DIGESTIVE ENZYMES USED?
Pancreatic/digestive enzymes help the pancreas to produce abundant natural enzymes required for digestion in the following conditions:
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Chronic pancreatitis (chronic inflammation of the pancreas)
- Pancreatectomy (surgical removal of the pancreas)
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF PANCREATIC/DIGESTIVE ENZYMES?
Pancreatic/digestive enzymes, when taken as supplements, can cause the following side effects:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level)
- Asthma
- Muscle spasm
- Viral infection
- Abnormal feces
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Muscle spasm
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF PANCREATIC/DIGESTIVE ENZYMES?
Generic and brand names of pancreatic/digestive enzymes include:
- Arco Lase
- Creon
- Digepepsin
- Digestive enzymes
- Gustase
- Pancreaze
- Pancrelipase
- Pertzye
- Ultresa
- Viokace
- Zenpep
From
https://www.pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/living-with-pancreatic-cancer/diet-and-nutrition/pancreatic-enzymes/