Patient leaflet - Pancrex V tablets
1. WHAT PANCREX V TABLETS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR
The active ingredient in Pancrex V Tablets is pancreatin.
Pancreatin is a combination of enzymes normally produced by the pancreas which help to digest protein, fat, starch and sugars in the food that you eat.
Pancreatin is given to people who do not produce enough enzymes to digest their food properly, in conditions such as cystic fibrosis, persistent inflammation of the pancreas, and when the pancreas has been removed. Pancrex V Tablets may also be used when the stomach has been removed, as an aid to digestion.
The pancreatin in Pancrex V Tablets is derived from pancreases of pigs.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE PANCREX V TABLETS
Do not take Pancrex V Tablets if you
are allergic (hypersensitive) to pancreatin or any of the other ingredients of Pancrex V
Tablets (see list in section 6 ‘Further Information’).
cannot easily digest or absorb milk sugars (lactose, galactose, glucose). Contact your
doctor or pharmacist before taking Pancrex V Tablets if you think this might be the case. Taking other medicines
Pancrex V Tablets are not known to interfere with any other medicines that you may be taking. However if you are prescribed another medicine, inform the doctor you are taking Pancrex V Tablets.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant or breast-feeding, discuss this with your doctor before taking your medicine as dose adjustments may be necessary.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Pancrex V Tablets do not interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery. Important information about some of the ingredients of Pancrex V Tablets
This product contains lactose and sucrose. If you are lactose or sucrose intolerant, contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.
3. HOW TO TAKE PANCREX V TABLETS Dosage
Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you on the amount of Pancrex V Tablets to take before each meal, although you may find with experience that you need to adjust the dose according to the size and type of meal that you eat. If loose pale stools (faeces) occur you may need to increase the dose.
Always check with your pharmacist if you are not sure.
You may notice variations in response to Pancrex V Tablets, which can be due to the special coating of the tablets.
For adults, elderly, and children, 5-15 tablets before each meal or snack should provide a good starting point for adjustment of the dose. Each tablet should be swallowed whole and not chewed. If you take more Pancrex V Tablets than you should
There are no special precautions to take, although the use of a barrier cream may help prevent possible irritation of the anus.
If you forget to take Pancrex V Tablets
Simply skip that dose and take the next dose before your next meal or snack. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Pancrex V Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. It is possible that some people may be allergic (hypersensitive) to Pancrex V Tablets. Signs of an allergy to something include rash, wheezing, breathlessness, swollen eyelids, face or lips, and in extreme cases collapse. In the unlikely event that you should get any of these symptoms soon after taking Pancrex V Tablets, don’t take any more. Tell a doctor straight away and take the packaging and this leaflet with you.
Rarely, high levels of uric acid in the blood and urine have been reported when extremely high doses of pancreatin have been taken.
Narrowing of parts of the bowel, and inflammation of the colon, have been reported in children with cystic fibrosis taking high doses of pancreatic enzyme supplements.
Some irritation of the skin of the mouth may occur if the tablets are chewed or the contents kept
in the mouth. Irritation of the anus may also occur, which may be prevented by use of the barrier cream.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE PANCREX V TABLETS
Store at, or below, 15˚C. This is best achieved by storing the container in the fridge. Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
The expiry date for this medicine is on the packaging. Do not take Pancrex V Tablets after this date. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION What Pancrex V Tablets contain
The active substance is Pancreatin BP. BP is a British standard measure of potency (expected biological effect) of a pharmaceutical product.
Each tablet contains at least:
- 110 BP units of free protease, an enzyme that digests protein
1900 BP units of lipase, an enzyme that digests fat
- 1700 BP units of amylase, an enzyme that digests starch and sugars Each tablet also contains: lactose, povidone, stearic acid, Opaseal P17-28901 (containing IMS, titanium dioxide (E171), polyvinyl acetate phthalate, and stearic acid (E570)), talc, sucrose, acacia, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, Opalux AS 7000B (containing sucrose, sodium benzoate (E211), titanium dioxide (E171), and indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132)), syrup, Opagloss 6000P (containing ethanol, shellac (E904), white weeswax (E901), yellow carnuba wax (E903)). Pancrex V Tablets contain approximately 0.055g of lactose. When taken as recommended (see section 3 ‘How to take Pancrex V Tablets’) each dose supplies up to 0.83g of lactose. What Pancrex V Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Pancrex V Tablets are small, white, enteric- and sugar-coated tablets. Each plastic container holds 300 tablets.
Internet sites for patients with your condition
There are a number of websites available on your condition and its treatment, which may provide you with further useful information. Contact the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland for assistance.
Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer
The Marketing Authorisation for Pancrex V Tablets is held by Essential Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 8a Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8RN, UK.
The tablets are manufactured by Penn Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Tredegar, Gwent, NP2 3AA, South Wales, UK.
This leaflet was last approved in 06/2024
Essential Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8RN, UK. UK Only PL 41094/0007
P PANCREATIN TABLETS B.P.
Each enteric coated tablet contains not less than the following activity:
Free protease 110 B.P. Units
stinU .P.B 0091
esapiL
stinU .P.B 0071
esalymA
DOSE: Adults, the elderly and children: 5-15 tablets taken whole before meals.
Store at a temperature not exceeding 15oC.
CONTAINS LACTOSE. SEE LEAFLET FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH
UK Only PL 41094/0007
Essential Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8RN, UK.
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Pancrex V Tablets
^Pancrex b ^V ^Tablets