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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
How can I reduce enzyme use?
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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How can I reduce enzyme use?
by Barbed, Dec 11, 2002 12:00AM
I am taking prescription digestive enzymes for chronic diarrhea. Fecal fat test found inappropriate fat levels, so I guess I have at least some fat malabsorption (I never drank alcohol).
These enzymes are really dog-goned expensive, so I try to use as little as possible. I am avoiding fats and oils but still get diarrhea if I don't take the enzymes. Does anyone have any tips or tricks so I can reduce the number of capsules taken?
I was on Ultrase 20, which my pharmacy doesn't carry regularly and has to special order, so I'm on Ultrasw 12 right now and just take more capsules if necessary.
Thanks.
These enzymes are really dog-goned expensive, so I try to use as little as possible. I am avoiding fats and oils but still get diarrhea if I don't take the enzymes. Does anyone have any tips or tricks so I can reduce the number of capsules taken?
I was on Ultrase 20, which my pharmacy doesn't carry regularly and has to special order, so I'm on Ultrasw 12 right now and just take more capsules if necessary.
Thanks.
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I have to take pancreatic enzyme supplements to help reduce the diarrhea and malabsorption problems caused by chronic pancreatitis. Without the enzymes, I would not be able to eat most foods. I was prescribed Ultrase 20's, and found them to be extremely expensive, too. Several hundred dollars each month, as I have to take 10-12 capsules daily. My GI switched me to a generic variety, called Lipram UL 20's, which are about $150 for a month's supply, which is a third of what the Ultrase cost. These have been just as effective.
There are digestive enzymes found in health food stores that are less expensive, and can help with digestive upsets, but I have found that they do not carry a high enough content of enzymes to aid with the malabsorption and diarrhea.