Enzymes. What they can do.

[Guest guest]

With the help of a dear friend, I was able to investigate the enzymes

we take daily. I thought that I had some type of overdose on them. I

had increased them by a few each day and took them on my skip days.

Things were going good and I thought I found the way to increase my

weight. I had some diabetic icecream late Friday night and took 3

enzymes during this time. At 3am or so I was awaken by the enzymes

opening up and popping. It was making me sicker by the minute, I

ended up throwing up and feeling better and back to bed. Over the

week it slowly turned into pancreatitis. I have really had a fight

with it this week along with withdrawls. I think that Friday night

the clondine overdried me out. I was slightly high on the enzyme

amount. The enzyme caused pancreatitis. It has been keeping my feet

and legs swollen for a year now. I also found somethings like it can

cause a rash. It was on the board at this time. Solvay the maker of

creon did not offer this information. Another one did that was less

powerful than my enzymes. Enzymes have side effects and warnings that

it can give you pancreatitis. I now see where some of my problems

have been coming from. I copied and pasted it below. There are some

taboo things in #7. It came in the package deal. There are normal

things in there we take for granted and we feed them to our kids who

are suffering from pancreatitis as well. We also take them with

vitamins. I think that we can not stop this medicine, it is just to

important to take it. There is not anything to replace it. Maybe in

the future they will make one. It maybe that the doctor could add

another pill to combat some of these other spinoffs of the enzymes.

Be sure to tell him about the side effects you are having. This might

get the drug companies to update the formula. I have the websites if

you would like them. I finally found some mistakes caused me

pancreatitis this time. This may help you understand and avoid a bad

time.

Thanks,

Facts about Enzymes:

1: Cases of fibrotic stricture in the ascending colon have been

reported in cystic fibrosis patients with the use of enzyme

supplements in high doses (approximately 6,500-50,000 USP lipase

units/kg/meal). If symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal

obstruction occur, the possibility of bowel strictures should be

considered.

2: Extremely high doses of exogenous pancreatic enzymes have been

associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia.

(Hyperuricemia): Abnormally elevated blood level of uric acid. Uric

acid is a breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods we

eat. While hyperuricemia may indicate an increased risk of gout, the

relationship between hyperuricemia and gout is unclear. Many patients

with hyperuricemia do not develop gout, while some patients with

repeated gout attacks have normal or low blood uric acid levels.

Among the male population in the United States, approximately ten

percent have hyperuricemia. However, only a small portion of those

with hyperuricemia will actually develop gout.

3: It is important to ensure adequate hydration of patients at all

times while dosing PANCREASE.

4: How to take:

Tablets, capsules or delayed-release capsules--Swallow whole. Do not

take with milk or milk products.

5: Time lapse before drug works: 30 minutes.

6: Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening: None expected.

Infrequent:

Diarrhea, asthma.

Rare:

Rash, hives, blood in urine, swollen feet or legs, abdominal cramps.

Nausea, joint pain.

7: Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH COMBINED EFFECT

Alcohol: Unknown.

Milk. Decreased effect of pancrelipase.

Cocaine: Unknown.

Ice cream, milk Decreased effect

Marijuana: Decreased absorption of pancrelipase.

Tobacco: Decreased absorption of pancrelipase.

8: Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

Calcium carbonate Decreased effect of pancrelipase.

Iron supplements Decreased iron absorption.

Magnesium hydroxide Decreased effect of pancrelipase.

9: Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

You are allergic to pancreatin, pancrelipase, or pork.

Before you start, consult your doctor: If you take any other

medicines.

Over age 60:

Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe

than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:

Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:

Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you

finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk

supply.

Infants & children:

Give under close medical supervision only.

10: Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems

may affect the use of pancrelipase. Make sure you tell your doctor if

you have any other medical problems, especially:

Pancreatitis (sudden, severe inflammation of the pancreas)--

Pancrelipase may make this condition worse

11: Precautions While Using This Medicine

Your doctor may recommend that you take pancrelipase with another

medicine, such as certain antacids or anti-ulcer medicines. However,

antacids that contain calcium carbonate and/or magnesium hydroxate

may not let the pancrelipase work properly and should be avoided.

12: Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted

effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do

occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following

side effects occur:

Rare Skin rash or hives

13: With high doses

Diarrhea; intestinal blockage; nausea; stomach cramps or pain

14: With very high doses

Blood in urine; joint pain; swelling of feet or lower legs

With powder dosage form or powder from opened capsules--if breathed in

Shortness of breath; stuffy nose; tightness in chest; troubled

breathing; wheezing

With tablets--if held in mouth / Irritation of the mouth