Xylase

Pancreatin is a pancreatic enzyme supplement created with a mixture of enzymes. It is given to patients whose pancreas is not able to create enough of their own enzymes to digest the food. It is also given to treat digestion problems caused in patients whose pancreas have been surgically removed or are not working well.

Pancreatin is usually safe in patients who have been prescribed to take it for digestion issues caused due to problems of the pancreas. Pancreatin can cause an increase in blood uric acid levels, thereby worsening your gout and causing painful swollen joints. Pancreatin may also cause allergic reactions like skin rashes, swollen lips, increased flatulence, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, etc. Consult your doctor before you start taking this medicine and give a proper history of allergies and the medicines you are currently taking.

Take the capsule with food and swallow it as a whole. Drink plenty of fluids after taking the medicine. It is very essential to increase your fluid intake while taking Pancreatin. In case you have trouble swallowing capsules, you can take out the granules from the capsules and mix them with fruit juices or yoghurt and swallow it. Just be careful not to crush the granules.

You should try to take five small meals to make it easier for your pancreas to digest what you eat. Take a well-balanced, low-fat diet and strictly limit the foods which contain a high amount of saturated and trans fats. Your diet should preferably contain whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fat-free meat/poultry, beans and low-fat dairy sources. Drink plenty of fluids and water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Ask your doctor if you can take regular vitamin like A, D, E, and K, as it will be benefecial for you. You can have limited amounts of healthy polyunsaturated fat. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol strictly because this can damage your pancreas.

Yes, Pancreatin can be given to children. Just like adults, even children need to be given a sufficient amount of fluids while on treatment with Pancreatin. When giving it to infants aged 12 months or less, you can open the capsule and empty the contents directly into the infant’s mouth. Following this, you can feed breast milk or infant milk formula to your baby. However, do not mix the medicine directly into the formula or breast milk. Also, be cautious to see that the baby swallows the entire medicine and nothing is retained in the baby’s mouth, as it can cause irritation in the mouth.

No. Simethicone is not an antacid. But it is used in preparations which are used as antacid

It does not contain aspirin

Yes. Simethicone is sold over the counter without a prescription

Yes. Simethicone is gluten free. However, please refer to package insert of the prescribed brand before use

Yes. Simethicone is relatively safe

Simethicone is safe for infants and babies, if used as recommended. In case of any side-effects, consult your doctor

It is advisable to take Simethicone only as per the instructions of the doctor

Yes. Simethicone is effective in the treatment of gas

It does not have any known serious side-effects

Yes. Simethicone can be taken with ibuprofen, famotidine, lansoprazole, omeprazole, antibiotics, ranitidine, ciprofloxacin, Pepto-bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or Depakote (divalproate sodium), if prescribed by your doctor

Simethicone is not known to cause nausea or constipation. If you experience any such symptoms, please consult your doctor

Simethicone is effective in controlling acid reflux if combined with an antacid.