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Pancreatic Enzymes

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. Also, pancreatic enzymes aid in the digestion of meals in patients who have diseases affecting their pancreatic function. People who take pancreatic enzymes are usually those with cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.

 

Why Do Doctors Prescribe Pancreatic Enzymes?

Pancreatic enzymes aid in the digestion of meals in patients who have diseases affecting their pancreatic function. People who take pancreatic enzymes are usually those with cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.
 

Understanding the Pancreas and Normal Pancreatic Enzymes

The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food.
 

Pancreatic Enzyme Ingredients

Pancreatic enzymes contain the ingredients pancreatin and pancrelipase, both of which contain the enzymes lipase, protease, and amylase. These enzymes break down fats (lipase), proteins (protease), and complex carbohydrates (amylase) to allow absorption of these nutrients into the body.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;