A nursing mother often faces the problem of indigestion. This may be due to enzyme deficiency or chronic pancreatitis. Therefore, the question of whether Pancreatin can be used during breastfeeding arises quite often.
- 2 Taking Pancreatin during lactation
2.1 Indications for use and rules for taking the medicine - 2.2 Special recommendations
- 5.1 Table: Pancreatin analogues
5.1.1 Photo gallery: Pancreatin analogues allowed during lactation
Action of the medicine
Pancreatin contains pancreatic enzymes that help break down proteins, fats and normalize the digestion process.
The drug is available in the form of tablets or capsules, which are coated with a special coating to protect the active substance from the influence of stomach acid. Enzymes are released in the small intestine and begin to act within 25–30 minutes. after taking the medicine.
Pancreatin is an enzyme preparation that facilitates the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates and helps normalize digestion
Pancreatin has the following effects:
- the breakdown of fats and proteins increases;
- the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract improves;
- pain is relieved;
- the process of food digestion is normalized;
- nutrients are better absorbed.
According to the order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2135-r dated December 30, 2009, Pancreatin is included in the list of vital and important medicines.
Composition and mechanism of action of the drug
The coating covering the tablet is pale pink in color and biconvex in appearance. One tablet contains 192 mg of pancreatin in powder form. This is the active substance. Additional components that are included in the composition are microcrystalline cellulose, sodium, magnesium stearate, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, acid red 2 C, polymer L-100 or L 30 D-55, as well as croscarmellose sodium.
The drug Pancreatin improves digestion and absorption of food, replaces enzymes that are produced in small quantities by the pancreas and, as a result, are deficient in the body. Helps break down proteins, carbohydrates, fats in the duodenum. In addition, it has amylolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic characteristics. Pancreatin is very easily and immediately absorbed by the body. In addition to normalizing the absorption process, the drug improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Proteases (trypsin), alpha-amylase, lipase are also components of Pancreatin.
Due to the fact that the drug shell is created in such a way that it cannot be destroyed in the acidic environment of the stomach, the pancreatic enzyme is preserved.
Taking Pancreatin during lactation
During pregnancy and after childbirth, a woman’s body experiences serious stress. In addition, during the period of breastfeeding a baby, the diet completely changes. These factors can cause digestive problems. Therefore, the question of taking Pancreatin often arises.
It should be borne in mind that clinical studies have not been conducted on pregnant and lactating women, so the safety of the drug has not been sufficiently studied. But according to the instructions, taking the drug during breastfeeding is not contraindicated.
Taking Pancreatin during lactation is not contraindicated
It is not recommended to prescribe this drug yourself - the dosage and treatment regimen are selected by the doctor taking into account the symptoms.
Indications for use and rules for taking the medicine
Pancreatin can be prescribed for:
- dysfunction of the pancreas;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- flatulence (bloating due to accumulation of gases);
- intestinal infection;
- eating disorders;
- pathologies of the biliary tract;
- dyspepsia (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, rumbling).
If there is no pathology, the doctor may prescribe medication for:
- violation of the regime and diet (too much fatty or plant foods);
- sedentary lifestyle;
- disorders of chewing function;
- preparation for ultrasound or x-ray examination.
If a nursing mother has been prescribed Pancreatin, certain rules should be followed when taking it:
- The medicine is taken immediately after feeding the baby.
- The drug should not be chewed; it should be taken with plenty of liquid (green tea, water, juice).
- After using the drug, you need to walk a little so that the medicine gets into the duodenum. Otherwise, it will begin to dissolve in the esophagus and there will be no effect from the treatment.
It is necessary to monitor the baby's condition. If the baby behaves restlessly or is capricious, you should immediately stop taking the medication and consult your doctor.
Pancreatin is taken according to the schedule and dosage recommended by the attending physician
Special Recommendations
During the treatment period, you must adhere to the correct diet:
- You should avoid fried, spicy, fatty foods.
- It's better to steam food.
- You need to eat only warm food in small portions, but often (5–6 rubles/day).
- It is recommended to grind solid foods as much as possible to reduce the load on the pancreas.
- Preference should be given to semi-liquid dishes.
- You need to follow the correct drinking regime - drink at least 2 liters of liquid during the day.
During treatment, you should adhere to a diet to normalize the functioning of the digestive tract
Can I take it during breastfeeding?
Reference. This drug is not contraindicated during breastfeeding. The instructions say that the safety of taking Pancreatin during breastfeeding has not been sufficiently studied.
The famous pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky, speaking about taking medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, likes to repeat the same phrase: “It should be taken if the expected benefit for the mother exceeds the potential risk for the child.”
Medical practice shows that gastroenterologists do not hesitate to prescribe Pancreatin to nursing mothers if there is an urgent need for it. Lactation consultants also give the go-ahead for the use of Pancreatin during lactation, subject to strict adherence to the rules of administration.
Contraindications and side effects when breastfeeding
There are no special restrictions on taking the drug, however, there are conditions in which Pancreatin is contraindicated:
- complication of chronic pancreatitis;
- intolerance to the components of the drug;
- acute pancreatitis;
- intestinal obstruction.
The drug is usually well tolerated by patients. But some side effects may occur:
- from the digestive tract, diarrhea or, conversely, constipation, nausea, and abdominal discomfort may appear;
- allergic skin reactions in the form of rash, itching.
With long-term use of the drug in large dosages, the development of hyperuricemia is possible - a disease in which uric acid accumulates, which leads to kidney failure.
In addition, prolonged use of the drug contributes to the development of anemia - a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. The fact is that the components of Pancreatin negatively affect the absorption of iron and folic acid.
You should not abuse the drug and prescribe treatment yourself, since the supply of enzymes from outside can provoke a decrease in the natural function of the pancreas.
Indications for use
Pancreatitis is prescribed as replacement therapy for insufficient exocrine function of the pancreas. The main indications for use of the drug are as follows:
- chronic pancreatitis;
- conditions after pancreatectomy;
- pancreas cancer;
- dyspepsia;
- flatulence;
- diarrhea of non-infectious origin;
- conditions after resection of the stomach and small intestine;
- preparation for x-ray or ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs;
- to improve food digestion in people with normal digestive tract function when consuming hard-to-digest fatty, plant-based or unusual foods.
On a note. The duration of taking Pancreatin varies from several days to several months or years. Long-term use of the drug is indicated as permanent replacement therapy. In any case, the decision on the timing of treatment is made only by the doctor.
How to replace the drug
The pharmacy chain offers a large selection of drugs with a similar composition that can be used during breastfeeding.
Table: Pancreatin analogues
| Name | Active substance | Indications | Contraindications | price, rub. |
| Creon | pancreatin |
|
| From 600 |
| Festal |
|
|
| From 150 |
| Mezim |
|
|
| From 100 |
| Pangrol |
|
|
| 400 |
Photo gallery: Pancreatin analogs allowed during lactation
Mezim is intended to improve the functional activity of the gastrointestinal tract. Festal is prescribed for insufficient secretory activity of the pancreas. Creon is available with different dosages of the active substance for adequate selection of the drug. Pangrol is dosed individually depending on the severity of the patient’s condition.
A nursing mother should not rush to take medication at the first problem with digestion. The situation can be normalized using the following methods:
- Remove salty, spicy and fatty foods from your diet.
- Drink at least 2 liters of liquid (still water, compotes, rosehip tea).
- Introduce more fermented milk products into your diet.
- Before breakfast and before bed, you need to eat 1 tbsp. l. ground milk thistle seeds. You should drink plenty of water.
- Drink decoctions of flax seeds, oats, and jelly. Such drinks coat the walls of the stomach, relieving pain.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Try to be less nervous, as stress negatively affects digestion.
If these methods do not bring the desired effect, you should consult a gastroenterologist and therapist.
Features of reception during breastfeeding
Since during pregnancy a woman’s body undergoes changes under the influence of stress and increased workload, eating habits change, and digestive problems may arise after childbirth. In this case, taking Pancreatin is quite acceptable, even during lactation. Side effects can also occur during breastfeeding, although restrictions associated specifically with it are not highlighted.
After agreeing on the possible risks and benefits, the final decision on prescribing therapy is made. In order not to harm the child, which is unlikely in any case, it is advisable to use small doses of the drug. It is necessary to monitor the reaction of the baby and the mother’s body when taking the medicine. If suspicious symptoms occur, enzyme intake during breastfeeding is limited or completely stopped.
Any change in the condition of a nursing mother or child is a reason to discontinue the drug
Rules of use and dosage
The specific dosage, dosage regimen and duration of therapy are prescribed by the doctor, focusing on the patient’s health condition and other related circumstances. The tablets are taken before meals without chewing. It is recommended to drink the product with a sufficient volume of liquid, preferably ordinary or alkaline mineral water.
You need to drink Pancreatin three to six times a day. The dose varies from 0.25 to 0.5 g. It is not recommended to exceed the permissible limits, especially if you have cystic fibrosis. For chronic pancreatitis, the duration of therapy can range from 2–3 months to several years.
Cases of overdose are rare. If the permissible amount of Pancreatin is exceeded, stool disorders are observed (usually constipation, especially in children) and the formation of stones due to the increased concentration of uric acid.
Constipation in children may be a consequence of overuse of the drug
Action of the medicine
When using high doses of the enzyme agent for 3-4 weeks, an increase in the concentration of uric acid in the blood and urine is observed. In patients with cystic fibrosis, the risk of intestinal stricture increases, in which pathological narrowing of the colon or ileocecal zone occurs. Similar disorders develop when consuming more than 10,000 FIP units of lipase/kg per day.
What is the difference between Pancreatin and Pancreatin Forte?
You can find several drugs with this name on the market. All of them contain the active ingredient pancreatin - a mixture of digestive enzymes. Many people believe that the prefix “forte” means that the drug is stronger and works better. In fact, the enzyme content in them is the same.
Pancreatin forte 14000 can be used as a first aid remedy for overeating.
Dosage
Determined by the attending physician taking into account the patient’s age and degree of deficiency. The average adult dose is 150,000 units per day. This amount of active substance is contained in 3-4 tablets. In severe cases, at the discretion of the doctor, the dose can be increased to 400,000 units per day. Children over 3 years old are prescribed no more than 100,000 units of lipase per day - moreover, this dose must be divided into 3-4 doses.
Characteristics of Mezim and Pancreatin
We present an overview of enzyme medications based on the following criteria:
- Efficiency. If the drugs are prescribed according to the condition, they have a positive effect on the body. Pancreatin is effective in treating minor disorders and does not adversely affect infants. Mezim has a large dosage of the active substance, so it is recommended in severe cases of the disease. Very often, doctors prescribe enzyme medications as part of complex therapy, depending on the diagnosis.
- Duration of disease control. Mezim and Pancreatin have a wide range of duration of treatment period: from one tablet when eating fatty, rich foods to lifelong replacement therapy. It all depends on the overall picture of the development of the disease. In case of digestive disorders, medications are prescribed for a course of 10–14 days.
- Price. The cost of drugs ranges from 17 rubles to 600 rubles per package. The most budget option is domestic Pancreatin. And the German drug from Berlin-Chemie Mezim Forte, depending on the number of tablets in the pack, can cost up to 600 rubles.
- Contraindications. The manufacturer indicates conditions for which taking enzyme preparations is not recommended: high sensitivity to components, acute pancreatin and exacerbation of chronic pancreatin, children under three years of age.
- Possible side effects and restrictions on use. The drugs Mezim and Pancreatin are generally well tolerated by patients. Sometimes allergic reactions, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and severe sensations in the epigastric zone occur. In rare situations, symptoms of intestinal obstruction may occur. With long-term use of medications in large doses, the proportion of uric acid in the blood may increase, and the absorption of iron will also decrease.
The doctor prescribes the dosage and duration of administration individually in each situation based on the severity of the digestive system disorder. The official summary suggests an average of 1-3 tablets, without chewing, washed down with water. The drug is taken three times per day before, during or after meals. Mezim and Pancreatin are covered with a specific shell, which disintegrates not in the stomach, but in the small intestine, so that it is there that the enzymes begin their work on the absorption of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Therefore, it is recommended to swallow the tablets whole.
If, while taking Pancreatin or Mezim, the baby notices signs of allergies, stool disorders or other negative symptoms, all this is a signal to stop taking the pills and urgently contact your doctor
Special instructions when taking the drug
This enzyme agent greatly affects the absorption processes of not only food, but also various medications. Therefore, if you need to take multiple medications, you should consult your doctor. It is not recommended to drink antacids based on magnesium or calcium, as well as alcohol-containing solutions, together with Pancreatin Forte, as they weaken the effect of the drug.
People who are forced to take this remedy for a long time are recommended to take additional iron supplements, since pancreatic enzymes greatly complicate its absorption. Patients with cystic fibrosis should be more careful with such drugs. The dosage of the drug must be prescribed to them by a doctor, and it greatly depends on the quantity and quality of food taken.
