What Is Pancreatin Used For?

Pancreatin, which is also sold under brand names including Creon and Pancote, is a drug prescribed to people with disorders of the pancreas. The drug is used to aid digestion, according to the Mayo Clinic. Pancreatin contains enzymes needed to digest proteins, starches and fats.

Uses

• Pancreatin is prescribed for conditions that cause the pancreas to not produce enough digestive enzymes, according to Drugs.com. These conditions include cystic fibrosis, inflammation of the pancreas and pancreatic cancer.

How to Take

• Pancreatin should be taken as a doctor recommends. Otherwise, a patient will face a higher risk of side effects.
  Usually, doctors recommend that pancreatin be taken with food. Often, people with pancreatic disorders are told to follow a special diet.
  Patients taking pancreatin in tablet form should swallow the tablet quickly, or else it may irritate their mouths.

Side Effects

• Potential side effects from pancreatin in high doses include diarrhea, intestinal blockage, nausea and stomach pain. In very high doses, pancreatin's side effects can include bloody urine, joint pain and swelling of the feet or lower legs.
  When taken in tablet form, pancreatin can irritate the mouth.
  When taken in powder form, if pancreatin is accidentally inhaled it can cause a stuffy nose, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing.
  In rare cases, pancreatin can cause skin rashes or hives.
  Patients should contact a doctor if they experience any of these side effects.

Allergic Reaction

• An allergic reaction to pancreatin can cause anaphylaxis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening. Its symptoms include itching, hives, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, and swelling of the hands, face and mouth.

Brands

• Solvay Pharmaceuticals of Belgium manufactures pancreatin under the brand name Creon. The company claims to be the largest manufacturer of pancreatic enzymes.
  Axcan Pharma, based in Canada, makes brands of pancreatin called Ultrase and Ultrase MT. Ultrase is formulated to be effective at lower doses than other digestive enzyme drugs, according to the company. Ultrase MT is formulated for time release.