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Lipancreatin is used to improve digestion of foods and prevent frequent, fatty, foul-smelling bowel movements in people who have a condition that affects the pancreas (a gland that produces several substances that the body needs to function normally) such as cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction), chronic pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas that does not go away), or a blockage in the passages between the pancreas and the intestine, or who have had surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas or stomach. Lipancreatin is also sometimes used to test how well the pancreas is working. Lipancreatin is in a class of medications called enzymes. Lipancreatin acts in place of the natural substances normally made by the pancreas. It works by breaking down fats, proteins, and starches from food into smaller substances that can be absorbed from the intestine. This allows the body to use these substances for energy and prevents them from being passed as frequent, fatty bowel movements.
Lipancreatin comes as a powder, tablet, capsule that contains powder, delayed-release capsule that contains small coated beads, and delayed-release capsule that contains very small coated tablets to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food and plenty of water several times a day, often with every meal or snack. The number of times per day that you take Lipancreatin depends on your condition and on how well you respond to treatment. Your doctor will tell you whether you should take Lipancreatin before, during, or after meals and snacks. To help you remember to take Lipancreatin, take it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Lipancreatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You can mix Lipancreatin powder or the contents of powder-filled Lipancreatin capsules with liquids or soft foods, but be careful not to inhale any of the powder. If you cannot swallow Lipancreatin bead- or tablet-filled capsules whole, you can open the capsules and mix the beads or tablets with a small amount of a soft food such as pudding, applesauce, or gelatin. Certain foods such as dairy products may dissolve the protective coating of the beads or tablets, so ask your doctor before you mix the beads or tablets with any other soft food. Swallow the mixture right after you mix it without chewing or crushing the beads or tablets. After you swallow the mixture, drink a full glass of water or juice right away to wash down the medication. Swallow Lipancreatin powder, tablets, or the contents of opened capsules as soon as you put them in your mouth. Your mouth may become irritated if you suck on the tablets or hold them in your mouth. Lipancreatin is sold under many brand names, and there are slight differences among the brand name products. Do not switch to a different brand of Lipancreatin without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of medication and gradually increase your dose depending on your response to treatment and the amount of fat in your diet. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling and whether your bowel symptoms improve during your treatment. Do not change the dose of your medication unless your doctor tells you that you should. Lipancreatin may control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to take Lipancreatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Lipancreatin without talking to your doctor. |