Digestant drugs are drugs that contain a combination of several types of digestive enzymes, such as amylase, lipase, or protease. This drug is useful for helping the body digest food when the pancreas cannot produce enough digestive enzymes.
Digestant drugs work by breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins so that they can be absorbed by the walls of the small intestine and distributed throughout the body.
Digestant drugs are generally given to people with digestive disorders or diseases that cause a lack of digestive enzymes, for example due to: cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or post-pancreatic surgery.
Digestant trademarks: Elsazym, New Enzyplex, Pankreon, Vitazym, Xepazym
What is a Digestant?
| group | Free medicine |
| Category | Digestive enzyme supplements |
| Benefit | Helping the body to digest food |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Digestant for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Digestant drugs are not yet known to be absorbed into breast milk or not. Breastfeeding mothers, you should first consult with your doctor before taking digestive drugs. |
| Drug form | Granules, caplets, enteric-coated tablets, sugar-coated tablets |
Warning Before Taking Digestan Drugs
There are several things you should pay attention to before taking digestan drugs, namely:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Digestant drugs should not be consumed by someone who is allergic to the ingredients and content contained in this drug.
- Discuss and consult about the use of digestive drugs if you have acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking acarbose, folic acid, or certain herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug, a serious side effect, or an overdose after taking a digestant.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Digestan Drugs
The dosage for the use of digestan drugs can be different, depending on the brand of the drug, the form of the drug, and the content in it. Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the packaging.
The dose of one product with a combination of digestive enzymes for adults is 1-2 tablets, 1-3 times a day. The dosage of other products that also contain this enzyme may be different.
How to Take Digestant Drugs Correctly
Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the packaging before taking digestan drugs. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.
Digestant drugs can be taken without food or with food. However, this medication is usually taken with food.
Digestant drugs in the form of tablets, caplets, and capsules should be consumed whole. Swallow the medicine with the help of water. Do not take digestive drugs with hot drinks or food, because they can reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, open it and then pour the contents of the capsule into your mouth. Swallow the medicine immediately to prevent irritation of the mouth. Please be careful not to inhale the contents or powder of the capsule, as this may cause nasal irritation.
Meanwhile, digestant drugs in the form of granules need to be mixed into water or milk. After stirring, immediately swallow the mixture.
Use the digestan medicine at the same time every day for optimal drug effectiveness. If you forget to take a digestan, take it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store the digestan medicine in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Interaction of Digestan Drugs with Other Drugs
Digestant drugs can cause interaction effects if used concurrently with other drugs. Drug interactions that can occur include:
- Interference with the blood sugar lowering effect of acarbose
- Impaired absorption of folic acid
Side Effects and Dangers of Digestan Drugs
Side effects that occur due to the use of digestive drugs can be different for each patient. These side effects can be:
- Constipation or constipation
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or stomach cramps
- Nauseous
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't get better or get worse. See your doctor right away if you have serious side effects, such as joint pain, more frequent urination, or pain when you urinate, after taking digestive medications.
