Drug
Amylase-Lipase-Protease
Pronounced
"PAN-kree-LYE-pase"
Uses
This medication is used along with a proton pump inhibitor medicine to treat people who cannot digest food normally. The pancreas is an organ in your body that normally produces enzymes to help you digest food. Certain conditions, such as surgical removal of some or all of the pancreas, or chronic pancreatitis, can decrease the production or release of these enzymes into the bowel (intestine). Pancrelipase contains a mixture of digestive enzymes (from pig pancreas) to help breakdown and digest fats, starches, and proteins in food.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking pancrelipase and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth, usually with every meal and snack as directed by your doctor. Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets or keep them in your mouth. Doing so can irritate the mouth/throat and change the way the medication works. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, diet, weight, and response to treatment. Do not take more tablets in a day than prescribed by your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
Your doctor should also prescribe another medicine (proton pump inhibitor such as lansoprazole, omeprazole) to decrease stomach acid. This helps pancrelipase work better by preventing it from breaking down in your stomach.
Use this medication regularly and follow any diet recommendations from your doctor or nutritionist to get the most benefit.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.