Last update Jan. 12, 2023

Pancreatic Enzymes

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Pancreatic enzymes (such as pancreatin or pancrelipase) are preparations of mammalian (pig, ox) pancreas that contain enzymes that have protease, lipase, and amylase activity. They hydrolyze fats into glycerol and fatty acids, break down proteins into peptides and proteoses, and convert starch into dextrins and sugars. They are administered orally to treat malabsorption associated with exocrine pancreatic deficiencies, such as pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.

At latest update no published data on excretion into breast milk was found.

Pancreatic enzymes act locally in the gastrointestinal tract and are not absorbed in significant amounts. (Vivus 2020, AEMPS 2012)

Its high molecular weight and insignificant intestinal absorption make its passage into breast milk very unlikely.

A low oral bioavailability hinders the passage into infant plasma from ingested breast milk.

It is a medication used in children and young infants.

The manufacturer considers this medicine compatible with breastfeeding. (Vivus 2020, AEMPS 2012)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Pancreatic Enzymes since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Group

Pancreatic Enzymes belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Pancreatic Enzymes in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. ≈ 0 %
Molecular weight 43.000 - 57.000 daltons

References

  1. Virus. Pancreatine. Product Monograph. 2020 Full text (in our servers)
  2. AEMPS. Pancreatina. Ficha técnica. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  3. Colombo C, Fredella C, Russo MC, Faelli N, Motta V, Valmarana L, Longo L, D'Orazio C. Efficacy and tolerability of Creon for Children in infants and toddlers with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency caused by cystic fibrosis: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter study. Pancreas. 2009 Abstract

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e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2015 of United States of America

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