Instructions
Disorders of the digestive system can be temporary or permanent. To eliminate abdominal pain, bloating and heaviness, enzyme preparations come to the rescue. These are Pancreatin or Mezim.
To eliminate abdominal pain, bloating and heaviness, enzyme preparations - Pancreatin or Mezim - come to the rescue.
General characteristics of the funds
Both medications are created to compensate for the lack of production of digestive enzymes in the pancreas.
The active ingredient is pancreatin. When entering the body, the substance breaks down into amylase, lipase and protease. The drugs are sold in tablet form. Therefore, additional components have been added to the composition in the form of:
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- silicon dioxide;
- hypromellose;
- talc;
- Magnesium stearate.
Mezim and Pancreatin are used to improve food digestion and eliminate unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, flatulence, and dyspeptic syndrome.
Enzymes are also indicated for those people who are prescribed diagnostic measures.
The tablets are enteric coated. This prevents early destruction of the contents of the capsules in the gastric juice.
How they affect the body
The main active component of both medications is pancreatin. This substance is a powdery substance that is produced by extracting from the pork pancreas.
The main component of Pancreatin is not absorbed into the blood, but enters the intestinal walls and is excreted along with feces.
Pancreatin consists of four main enzymes - amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. These substances are needed to digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
The main component is not absorbed into the blood, but enters the intestinal walls and is excreted along with the feces. Most enzymes undergo breakdown and denaturation in the digestive tract under the influence of bacteria and digestive juices.
The maximum concentration of active substances is observed 30-40 minutes after taking the medicine.
In what cases is treatment with the drug permissible and prohibited?
Indications for taking tablets are:
- development of chronic non-acute pancreatitis;
- presence of gastritis;
- when preparations are underway for examinations of the body (ultrasound or x-ray examinations);
- if you have broken your diet or constantly overeat by eating too fatty foods;
- if digestion is impaired due to surgery, impaired chewing function, due to bed rest prescribed by a doctor.
It’s strange, but this particular drug causes a lot of talk and controversy. It is considered both a fat burner and a real vitamin complex. Who should you believe and what should you not listen to?
The misconception that with the help of Mezim you can lose a couple of extra pounds is indeed a misconception. The main function of the drug, as you have seen, is to improve the digestion of food. You can get rid of fat only by eating a balanced and healthy diet.
Mezim is also effective for pancreatitis and cholecystitis due to the similarity of the symptoms of the diseases.
Contraindications to the use of the product are:
- the presence of an acute form of pancreatitis;
- aggravated condition in chronic pancreatitis;
- individual intolerance or allergy to individual components;
- Admission under the age of three is also prohibited.
It is impossible to say that the drug does not cause any harm, since every drug has side effects. By taking Mezim for a long time and uncontrollably, you can provide yourself with excess uric acid (which is especially important for patients with gout).
Thus, taking medication for pancreatitis is appropriate, but requires a rational approach.
Indications for use
Enzyme-based medications are prescribed to patients:
- with inflammatory processes in the pancreas with a long course;
- with cystic fibrosis;
- after surgical manipulations on the digestive tract;
- to restore the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract after irradiation;
- for diseases of the stomach and intestines as part of complex therapy;
- for obstruction of the pancreatic and gallbladder ducts for replacement therapy;
- with late pancreatitis after organ transplantation;
- with reduced enzyme activity of the pancreas in elderly people;
- in cases of dysfunction of the digestive system due to disorders of chewing function.
Mezim and Pancreatin are indicated for digestive problems, a feeling of fullness in the stomach or excessive accumulation of gases in the intestinal canal as a result of overeating, treatment with diet disorders, and consumption of fatty and fried foods in large quantities.
Mezim is indicated for digestive problems, a feeling of fullness in the stomach or excessive accumulation of gases in the intestinal canal.
Enzymes are often prescribed to patients with the development of gastrocardial syndrome or diarrhea of non-infectious origin.
Mezim
One of the most famous drugs belonging to the enzyme group in popular circles is Mezim. The main active ingredient of this medicine is also pancreatin, thanks to which Mezim helps to normalize the process of fat breakdown and absorption of substances in the small intestine. As a result, the digestive process improves. Due to the presence of other enzymes in the composition, excess load is removed from the pancreas. The effect of the drug begins approximately half an hour after administration, when the enzymes enter the intestines.
The wide spectrum of action of Mezim allows it to be prescribed for the following diagnoses:
- Pancreatic dysfunction: exocrine insufficiency;
- Renhed's syndrome;
- Therapy after interventions and radiation;
- Cystic fibrosis;
- Non-infectious diarrhea;
- Overeating, excess food that is too heavy for the stomach.
Like any medicine, Mezim has a number of contraindications. These include acute pancreatitis, an exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease. In addition, those who have allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to the components of the drug should not take Mezim.
Side effects from taking Mezim may include allergies, stomach pain, and diarrhea. With long-term use of large doses of this drug, symptoms of hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia may appear. In this case, the drug is stopped and therapy is prescribed.
Another side effect of Mezim is a decrease in iron absorption. Therefore, when prescribing a long course of treatment, iron supplements are prescribed as maintenance therapy.
Here are more detailed instructions for using Mezim.
Is there a difference between medications
The drugs are similar in their mechanism of action, indications and recommendations for use. But there are also distinctive features.
Indicators of minimal enzyme activity
One of the main differences is the concentration of active ingredients in 1 tablet:
- Pancreatin contains 140 IU of lipase, 25 IU of protease and 1500 IU of amylase.
- Mezim contains 20 thousand units of lipase, 900 units of protease and 12 thousand units of amylase.
There is also another drug in this category - Mezim Forte. The tablets are enteric-coated, but contain a smaller amount of active substances - 3500 IU of lipase, 250 IU of protease and 4200 IU of amylase.
Which is better - Pancreatin or Mezim
Most patients wonder which is better - Mezim or Pancreatin. If the drug is selected according to the price category, then Pancreatin will cost 2 times less. But Mezim is considered more effective because it contains more enzymes. Also, the normalized number of units is determined for the medication. In Pancreatin it is inaccurate.
Doctors recommend buying Mezim for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. This is explained by the fact that the protective shell is more resistant to the influence of hydrochloric acid.
But Pancreatin is more often prescribed to those people who do not have severe disturbances in the functionality of the intestinal tract. The medication can be used as a prophylactic to avoid the consequences of overeating.
Dosage form and pharmacokinetics
Pink flat-cylindrical tablets in a special coating with a characteristic odor. When broken, brownish pinpoint microinclusions are observed. In an acidic gastric environment, enzymes lose their activity. The acid-resistant shell protects the active substance from the action of hydrochloric acid, preventing the deactivation of enzymes. The dissolution of the shell itself and the release of enzymes occurs at a neutral acidity level.
Composition of one tablet:
Pancreatin powder with enzymes - lipase, amylase, protease, the content of which in one tablet is as follows: 3500 IU, 4200 IU and 250 IU, respectively. In addition to these enzymes, there is also trypsin, which inhibits the stimulation of the pancreas and has an analgesic effect. Mezim Forte 10000 differs from the drug Mezim in that it contains almost three times more lipase - 10,000 units in one tablet.
Directions for use and dosage
Mezim Forte is prescribed to adults and children over 3 years of age. You can take 1-2 tablets with meals. Do not chew; it is recommended to take plenty of liquid. If replacement therapy is carried out, then 2-4 capsules per day are indicated.
Mezim is prescribed 1-2 tablets per day. Do not exceed a dose of more than 15-20 thousand units of lipase per 1 kg of weight.
The duration of the treatment course ranges from 2 weeks to several years.
Pancreatin in capsules, dragees and tablets is intended for internal use. Taken with meals. The medicines are swallowed whole and washed down with 100 ml of warm water. The daily dosage should be divided into 2-3 doses. The dose depends on the indications and age of the patient. In case of overeating and heaviness in the stomach, you should take 1-2 tablets of Pancreatin.
special instructions
There are no special instructions for the use of medications.
The preparations contain components that can cause injury to the mucous membrane. Therefore, tablets should not be chewed or kept in the mouth for a long time.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pancreatin and Mezim are approved for use during pregnancy and lactation. The doctor selects the dosage based on the woman’s condition. If medications are used as prophylaxis, then it is enough to take 1-2 tablets per day.
Childhood
Pancreatin and Mezim are prescribed to children over 3 years of age. The daily dose is 1-2 tablets.
Elderly age
Enzymes are prescribed to elderly people when the exocrine functionality of the pancreas is impaired.
"Pancreatin": what is it and what is it eaten with?
"Pancreatin" is also an enzyme preparation. It includes enzymes such as lipase, protease and amylase. They help normalize digestion and support healthy gastrointestinal function.
Pancreatin for digestion
If the name of the drug contains the prefix “Forte”, this means that it is equipped with a shell that is resistant to the caustic environment of gastric juice, which protects enzymes until they are delivered to the target part of the intestine.
There, in the alkaline intestinal environment, their active action begins, after which they are digested.
Doctors do not recommend taking Pancreatin during pregnancy, but this is permissible if problems with the gastrointestinal tract can pose a serious threat to the health of the mother and child. Also, the drug is not recommended for children under three years of age and people suffering from acute chronic pancreatitis or acute pancreatitis.
Please note that the drug contains pancreatin of animal origin, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive patients. Pancreatin is also contraindicated for people who are lactose intolerant.
