Nutrizym 22 (pancreatin)

How does it work?

Nutrizym 22 capsules contain the active ingredient pancreatin, which is a mixture of digestive enzymes normally released by the pancreas to digest food.

Pancreatin contains the pancreatic enzymes lipase, amylase and protease. These assist the digestion of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. The enzymes in Nutrizym are extracted from pig pancreas glands.

Pancreatin supplements are given by mouth in conditions where the natural secretion of these enzymes by the pancreas is reduced or absent. These conditions include chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and cystic fibrosis. Pancreatin may also be necessary if a tumour (eg pancreatic cancer) obstructs the outflow of enzymes from the pancreas. The supplements are also needed following surgical removal of the pancreas or stomach.

The enzymes in pancreatin work by digesting food as it passes through the intestines. The medicine must be taken at the same time as a meal or snack to allow the enzymes to mix with the food.

Nutrizym 22 capsules contain gastro-resistant minitablets of pancreatin. The minitablets have a special coating to help protect the pancreatin from stomach acid. This allows more of the medicine to pass into the intestines with the food, which is where the enzymes would normally be released as part of digestion. The minitablets should be swallowed without chewing to avoid damaging the protective coating.

The capsules should be swallowed whole without chewing. Alternatively, they can be opened and the contents mixed with fluid or soft food. If you mix the capsule contents with fluid or soft food, it is important that the mixture is swallowed straight away, without chewing.

What is it used for?

Aiding digestion of food in conditions where there is reduced or absent production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, for example in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer or following surgical removal of the pancreas (pancreatectomy) or stomach (gastrectomy).

Warning!

This medicine should be taken with or after food. Follow the instructions given by your doctor or dietician.

Do not exceed the recommended dose. If you think a higher dose is needed because fatty stools or abdominal pain are still present you should consult your doctor or dietician.

People taking this medicine should make sure they drink plenty of fluids each day.

Several children with cystic fibrosis taking high doses of pancreatin have experienced narrowing of the bowel that has required surgery. For this reason, the total dose of pancreatic enzyme supplements used in patients with cystic fibrosis should not usually exceed 10 000 units of lipase per kg body-weight daily. As a precaution, all people taking this medicine should consult their doctor immediately if they develop any new abdominal symptoms, or any change in their existing abdominal symptoms, so that any possible colonic problems can be ruled out.

You should store Nutrizym 22 below 25°C in the original container. Keep the container tightly closed. The ability of the enzymes to digest food decreases over time. If the container is left in very warm conditions, the digestive activity decreases faster. Do not take the capsules after the expiry date on the bottle.

Not to be used in

Children aged 15 years and under with cystic fibrosis

Allergy to pork proteins.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

Pancreatin is not known to be harmful when used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, as with all medicines, it should only be used if clearly necessary. You should seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Abdominal pain

Diarrhoea

Constipation

Nausea and vomiting

Abnormal stools

Allergic skin reactions

High level of uric acid in the blood or urine in people taking high doses

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Pancreatin is expected to reduce the blood glucose lowering effect of the antidiabetic medicine acarbose.

It is not known to affect any other medicines.

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