Reduced exocrine secretions

Question 1

Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency - This condition is characterised by

Answer 1

reduced secretion of pancreatic enzymes into the intestines.

• As a result, symptoms include maldigestion and malnutrition associated with low circulating levels micronutrients. Patients also present with GI symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal cramps + steatorrhea.

Question 2

Drug treatment

Answer 2

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy with Pancreatin. Pancreatin contains 3 groups of digestive enzymes: lipase, amylase and protease. These enzymes digest fat, carbohydrates and proteins!

 The drug must be administered with meals and snacks. if mixed with food or drink - do not keep for over 1 h.

• adequate hydration when using high strength pancreatin

Question 3

Pancreatin inactivated by….

Answer 3

• Do not mix with excessively hot food or drinks as it pancreatin is inactivated by heat
• Eat with meals as pancreatin inactivated by gastric acid

Question 4

SE

Answer 4

• GI SE common
• irritation - perioral skin and buccal mucosa
• fibrosing colonopathy in cystic fibrosis with high doses