Re: Protonix -- Suzy

[Guest guest]

Suzy wrote:

I have scheduled an appt. with my GE doctor next month. (snip) Hopefully, he

will prescribe Protonix for me. (snip) They switched me to Creon a while back,

and those worked too. Do you know if there's much of a difference between

those and Viokase? I would prefer the Creon, since they're capsules.

Suzy,

The Creon are enteric coated enzymes, and would NOT need an antiacid to

be taken prior to taking them. That's one of the major differences. The gel-

like coating keeps them whole and prevents them from dissolving until they

reach the small intestine. For enzymes like that, antiacids aren't necessary,

so the Protonix wouldn't be necessary.

The only reason my GI prescribed the Protonix for me was because I'd

recently changed to Viokase enzymes from enteric coated ones (Ultrace). I,

too liked them because they were capsules and easy to swallow, and I didn't

need to take an antiacid beforehand. But they reached a point with me where

they didn't seem to be working as well.

With an enzyme supplement like Viokase, you need to have an antiacid first

because they dissolve so quickly they stimulate the stomach into producing

acid. Protonix, Prevacid or Prilosec help slow down that acid production

before it destroys the enzymes so quickly that they're dissolved before they

get where they need to go.

So if you're going to ask the doctor to put you back on the Creon, which you

preferred, you wouldn't need the Protonix anyway (smile)!

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience

or opinion only, and should not be substituted for consultation

with a medical professional.