Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in the 21(st) century.

ABSTRACT: Restitution of normal fat absorption in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency remains an elusive goal. Although many patients achieve satisfactory clinical results with enzyme therapy, few experience normalization of fat absorption, and many, if not most, will require individualized therapy. Increasing the quantity of lipase administered rarely eliminates steatorrhea but increases the cost of therapy. Enteric coated enzyme microbead formulations tend to separate from nutrients in the stomach precluding coordinated emptying of enzymes and nutrients. Unprotected enzymes mix well and empty with nutrients but are inactivated at pH 4 or below. We describe approaches for improving the results of enzyme therapy including changing to, or adding, a different product, adding non-enteric coated enzymes,

SUBMITTER: Trang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4155341 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature