Mezim is a digestive enzyme medicine. Instructions for use explain how to properly take tablets, including Forte 10000 for the treatment of pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. What Mezim helps with, information on prices, analogues and patient reviews will also be presented in the article.
Release form and composition
Mezim Forte film-coated tablets. The tablets are pink, flat, cylindrical in shape, with almost plane-parallel surfaces and a beveled edge. Available packaged in blister packs of 20 pieces, packaging No. 20 or No. 80.
Tablets Mezim Forte 10000 in a red coating. The tablets are pink, film-coated, have almost flat-parallel surfaces and a beveled edge. Available packaged in blister packs of 10 pieces, packaging No. 20 or No. 50.
Mezim 20000 tablets in a red coating. The tablets are round, biconvex, white (possibly grayish-white) in color, with a smooth surface, there may be brown inclusions on the break, and have a specific odor. Available packaged in blister packs of 10 pieces, packaging No. 10, No. 20 or No. 50.
The active ingredient in Mezim Forte is pancreatin (powder from pork pancreas) in a concentration of 93.33 - 107.69 mg/tab. Minimum enzyme activity of the drug:
- amylase - 4.2 thousand euros. pharm. units;
- lipase - 3.5 thousand euros. pharm. units;
- protease - 250 euros. pharm. units
Composition of Mezim Forte 10000/Mezim 20000 tablets: powder from pork pancreas (concentration, respectively 125 mg/tablet/220–293.34 mg/tablet) with minimal lipolytic activity - 10/20 thousand euros. pharm. units, minimal amylolytic activity - 7.5/12 thousand euros. pharm. units, minimum proteolytic activity 375/900 euros. pharm. units
pharmachologic effect
- Pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase and proteases), which are part of Mezim Forte, normalize the digestion process and improve the absorption of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the intestines.
- Enzyme substances have a compensatory effect, replenishing the deficiency of natural pancreatic enzymes.
- The use of drugs provides amylolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic pharmacological effects.
- Trypsin, which is part of the drug, has an analgesic (pain-relieving) effect, suppressing stimulated pancreatic secretion.
The tablets are protected from the effects of gastric juice by a coating that dissolves in the alkaline environment of the intestine, releasing pancreatic enzymes. The maximum pharmacological effect occurs 30–45 minutes after administration.
Why is Mezim prescribed?
According to the instructions, the drug helps in the following cases:
- treatment of chronic inflammatory-dystrophic diseases of the intestines, stomach, liver and gall bladder, in particular those developed as a result of irradiation of organs or gastric resection, accompanied by flatulence, diarrhea, and disruption of the digestion process;
- treatment of chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other diseases accompanied by disorders of the exocrine function of the pancreas;
- condition after gastrectomy;
- treatment of intestinal infections;
- flatulence, diarrhea, feeling of discomfort in the stomach arising from errors in nutrition and diet violations in patients who do not have problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- eating fatty or poorly digestible foods.
- in preparation for ultrasound or x-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract.
Mezim perfectly helps many healthy people in case of disruption of their usual diet and overeating - consuming large amounts of too fatty and high-calorie foods.
Side effects
The official instructions warn about the possible development of the following side effects during treatment with Mezim Forte:
- allergic reactions;
- diarrhea;
- constipation;
- nausea;
- discomfort in the epigastric region;
- hyperuricosuria.
Other adverse reactions are also possible, depending on the individual characteristics of each patient.
Medical instructions for use
According to the instructions for use, the dosage of Mezim is a key factor for achieving success in pancreatic replacement therapy. Although the dose of enzyme should be individualized for each patient, the minimum is 35,000-60,000 USP units of lipase per meal and 20,000-25,000 USP units for snacks. According to the instructions for use for children, 10,000-15,000 units are recommended.
Regarding the timing of therapy, studies have shown that the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy is greater when taken with or after food. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to take Mezim.
Traditionally, patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency have been instructed to limit fat intake in an attempt to reduce steatorrhea. A diet containing less than 20 grams of fat per day was generally recommended. However, limiting fat intake is associated with inadequate intake of fat-soluble vitamins (which are no longer absorbed in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and malnutrition. Mezim is absolutely safe for the stomach.
As a consequence, fat restriction is no longer considered necessary for the treatment of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Additionally, the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy has been shown to be superior when enzymes are administered along with a high-fat diet versus a low-fat diet.
Mezim can be taken for no more than 2-3 days for nausea; in most cases it is ineffective for severe bloating. Mezim for gastritis is prescribed in relatively rare cases.
Instructions for use Mezim Forte
Both adults and children over three years of age are prescribed to take one or two tablets with meals, without chewing and with a sufficient volume (about 200 ml) of liquid.
When carrying out enzyme replacement therapy, take two to four tablets of the drug.
The duration of the course is set individually.
Instructions for use Mezim Forte 10000
The dose of the drug depends on the deficiency of pancreatic enzymes in the duodenum and is selected individually.
In the absence of other recommendations, as well as in cases of consuming difficult-to-digest vegetable, unusual or fatty foods, an adult should take one or two tablets at each meal.
When carrying out enzyme replacement therapy, the recommended dose is two to four tablets. If necessary, it can be larger.
Read also: What is Elkar prescribed for? Instructions for use, reviews and analogues, price in pharmacies
Increasing the dose to relieve symptoms (abdominal pain, steatorrhea) should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
The permissible upper limit of the daily dose of lipase is 15-20 thousand euros. pharm. units/kg
The question of the dosage of the drug and the duration of the course of treatment is decided by the doctor.
Dosage and method of administration
The dosage, according to the instructions for Mezim Forte, is set individually depending on the severity of the disease and the composition of the food. Unless otherwise indicated, the average single dose for adults is two to four Mezim Forte 10000 tablets per meal. Doctors recommend taking half or a third of a single dose at the beginning of a meal, and the rest during it. The medication is taken orally, without chewing and with a sufficient amount of liquid. It is possible to increase the dosage of Mezim Forte only under the supervision of a doctor, focusing on reducing severe symptoms. The maximum daily dose is 15,000-20,000 Ph units. Eur. lipase/kg body weight.
For children, the dosage regimen is determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease and the composition of the food at the rate of 500-1000 Ph units. Eur. lipase/kg of child's body weight for each meal.
The duration of treatment can vary from several days (for indigestion, dietary errors) to several months and even years (if constant replacement therapy is necessary).
How to take it for children?
Mezim Forte is prescribed to children in a standard dosage - one or two tablets during meals with plenty of warm water.
For children under twelve years of age, Mezim Forte 10,000 is prescribed in a dose necessary to normalize bowel movements, but not exceeding 1.5 thousand euros. pharm. units lipase/kg. For adolescents 12-18 years old, the permissible upper limit of the daily dose of lipase is 15-20 thousand euros. pharm. units/kg
Mezim 20,000, in the absence of other recommendations, children are given at the rate of 1 thousand euros. pharm. units lipase/kg.
Analogs
- Gastenorm forte;
- Gastenorm forte 10000;
- Creon 10000;
- Creon 25000;
- Creon 40000;
- Mezim 20000;
- Mezim forte 10000;
- Micrasim;
- Pangrol 25000;
- Pangrol 10000;
- PanziCam;
- Panzim forte;
- Panzinorm 10000;
- Panzinorm forte 20000;
- Pancreazim;
- Pancreatin;
- Pancreatin forte;
- Pancrelipase;
- Pancitrate;
- Penzital;
- Festal N;
- Enzistal P;
- Hermital.
When choosing analogues, you must remember that the instructions for use of Mezim, price and reviews do not apply to drugs of similar effect. Replacing the drug is permissible only after the recommendation of a doctor.
Mezim or Creon - which is better?
Creon has an active ingredient identical to Mezim, but in the drug Creon it is contained in a much higher concentration.
However, this is not the main difference between the drugs. First of all, they are distinguished by the form of release. Creon is available in the form of capsules filled with minimicrospheres.
The unique dosage form of the drug ensures its higher effectiveness (including for severe digestive disorders) - the microcomponents of the capsules are mixed almost evenly in the stomach with food, due to which the medicine enters the intestines with each serving of food, and the food is digested much more evenly.
Which is better: Festal or Mezim?
The active substances of the drug Festal are pancreatin, hemicellulose and bile components. The medicine is available in the form of enteric tablets.
The protective shell reduces the aggressive effects of acid, and also helps ensure that the active substances enter and begin to act in the intestines, where the help of enzymes is needed.
However, there are also disadvantages - the pills, like Mezim tablets, are taken during lunch, that is, they enter the intestines with food, and not necessarily with the first portion. The coating with which Mezim tablets are coated begins to dissolve in the stomach, due to which food enters the intestines with enzymes.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
The safety of using pancreatin during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied. Use is possible in cases where the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the child. Experimental studies have shown that pancreatin does not have a teratogenic effect.
The instructions for use developed for the drug Mezim allow the medication to be taken during pregnancy. However, doctors advise resorting to treatment only in extreme cases, when the benefits to the mother are higher than the possible risks to the gestating fetus. If side effects occur, you should immediately stop using enzymes. While breastfeeding, drinking enzymes is not prohibited.
According to the instructions, the safety of using pancreatin during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been fully studied. Doctors can prescribe Mezim, but only if the benefit to the mother exceeds the risk to the fetus or newborn baby. You should use the tablets with caution during pregnancy and lactation, and do not exceed the permissible dose.
The safety of using pancreatin during pregnancy has not been sufficiently studied. Use is possible in cases where the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
special instructions
The therapeutic effect of the drug Mezim Forte will be higher if the patient combines therapy with a diet, excluding spicy, fatty, fried foods, spices, seasonings, and alcohol from the diet.
It is also not recommended to smoke during drug therapy, as this in most cases leads to an exacerbation of the underlying disease and aggravation of clinical symptoms.
In persons under 12 years of age, this drug is used with caution due to insufficient clinical experience, and the dose is determined by the doctor. Mezim forte does not affect the functioning of the central nervous system and does not inhibit the speed of psychomotor reactions. Even with long-term treatment, the drug does not cause addiction in patients.
