How is EPI treated?
Asides from eating a healthy diet, the major treatment for EPI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Some drugs will replace the enzymes that are not being produced by the pancreas.
Your doctor will prescribe these drugs to cater to the enzyme deficiency. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down food, for easier digestion and absorption. Taking these drugs before eating causes the replacement enzymes to move through the stomach before your food gets there. If you take the pills after eating, you experience the reverse problem.
There are some FDA-approved pancreatic enzyme replacement drugs available for prescription and they include;
- Creon
- Ultresa
- Zenpep
- Viokace
- Pancreaze
- Pertzye [6]
This medication is usually taken at the start of meals or before eating snacks, along with a glass of water. Products like milk or any liquid containing calcium or magnesium can break down the coating and enzymes in your pills. For this reason, you should avoid dissolving your pill in milk or any stomach acid medicine that contains calcium or magnesium.
These drugs are usually prescribed depending on your body weight. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and may increase it if he/she feels you need it.