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Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes are protein molecules that break down food so nutrients can be absorbed. Ordinarily, the pancreas produces a number of different enzymes that each work on a different type of food. Lipases, for example, break down fats and proteases help digest proteins. Digestive enzymes enter the intestines through small ducts. Because the thick mucus associated with CF blocks the ducts, very little of the enzymes leave the pancreas, foods are not digested completely, and CF patients do not absorb nutrients. Most must take supplemental digestive enzymes ?usually as capsules that may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto soft foods for individuals who cannot swallow capsules. Many different combinations of digestive enzymes are available. Drugs in the class
Pancreatin (Donnazyme, Ku-Zyme, Kutrase)
Pancrelipase (Cotazym, Cotazym-S, Creon, Ilozyme, Ku-Zyme HP, Lipram, Pancrease, Pancrecarb, Panokase, Ultrase, Viokase, Zymase)
Pancrelipase Powder (Viokase Powder) |
