Lipase: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions

Other Name(s):

Lipasa, Triacylglycerol Lipase.

Overview

Lipase is a digestive enzyme that is found in many plants, animals, bacteria, and molds. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up a particular biochemical reaction in the body. People use lipase as a medicine.

Lipase is used for indigestion, heartburn, allergy to gluten in wheat products (celiac disease), Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis.

How does work?

Lipase seems to work by breaking down fat into smaller pieces, making digestion easier.

Uses

Effective for...

Digestion problems due to a disorder of the pancreas (pancreatic insufficiency) that is associated with cystic fibrosis.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

Allergy to gluten in wheat products (celiac disease).
Crohn's disease.
Indigestion.
Heartburn.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lipase for these uses.

Side Effects

Lipase seems to be safe for most people. It can cause some side effects such as nausea, cramping, and diarrhea.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of lipase during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Cystic fibrosis: High doses of lipase seem to make some of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis worse.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

For digestion problems due to a disorder of the pancreas (pancreatic insufficiency) that is associated with cystic fibrosis: A typical dose for adults is 4500 units per kilogram of lipase per day. For children, a typical dose is 5100 units per kilogram per day. Start with a low dose and gradually increase until there is a benefit, but don't take more than the typical dose without checking with your healthcare provider.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Croft NM, Marshall TG, Ferguson A. Gut inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis on high-dose enzyme supplements. Lancet 1995;346:1265-7. View abstract.

Lloyd-Still JD. Cystic fibrosis and colonic strictures. A new "iatrogenic" disease. J Clin Gastroenterol 1995;21:2-5. View abstract.

Owen G, Peters TJ, Dawson S, Goodchild MC. Pancreatic enzyme supplement dosage in cystic fibrosis. Lancet 1991;338:1153.

Smyth RL, Ashby D, O'Hea U, et al. Fibrosing colonopathy in cystic fibrosis: results of a case-control study. Lancet 1995;346:1247-51. View abstract.

Smyth RL, van Velzen D, Smyth AR, et al. Strictures of ascending colon in cystic fibrosis and high-strength pancreatic enzymes. Lancet 1994;343:85-6. View abstract.

Stern RC, Eisenberg JD, Wagener JS, et al. A comparison of the efficacy and tolerance of pancrelipase and placebo in the treatment of steatorrhea in cystic fibrosis patients with clinical exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:1932-8. View abstract.

Thomson M, Clague A, Cleghorn GJ, Shepherd RW. Comparative in vitro and in vivo studies of enteric-coated pancrelipase preparations for pancreatic insufficiency. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1993;17:407-13. View abstract.

Tursi JM, Phair PG, Barnes GL. Plant sources of acid stable lipases: potential therapy for cystic fibrosis. J Paediatr Child Health 1994;30:539-43. View abstract.