Read our fact sheet about pancreatic enzymes
You can download or order our fact sheet, How to manage problems with digestion using pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), to find out more about how to take pancreatic enzymes.
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)
This section explains how to manage problems with diet and digestion cause by pancreatic cancer. It includes information about pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), including Creon®, Pancrease®, Nutrizym® and Pancrex®.
What's in the 'Diet and pancreatic cancer' information section?
- Diet and pancreatic cancer
- What symptoms are caused by problems with diet and digestion?
- Who can help manage my diet symptoms?
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)
- Taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy if you have pancreatic cancer
- What if pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy doesn’t help my symptoms?
- Nutritional supplements for pancreatic cancer
- Diet and surgery to remove pancreatic cancer
- Diet and inoperable pancreatic cancer
- Coping with diet symptoms
- Diet tips for pancreatic cancer
What is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy?
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is capsules that replace the enzymes that your pancreas would normally make. These help you to digest your food by breaking down carbohydrates, fats and proteins in your food.
Pancreatic enzymes can help manage the symptoms of problems with digestion, such as weight loss or diarrhoea. They can also help you to cope better with treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery. Managing problems with diet and digestion can make a big difference to how you feel.
Different brands of enzymes are available in the UK:
- Creon®
- Pancrease®
- Nutrizym®
- Pancrex®.
All pancreatic enzymes are made from pork products, and there is no alternative. Talk to your doctor if you are allergic to pork products. Organisations representing Jewish and Muslim communities have said that these treatments are acceptable to use.
Vegetarian enzymes are sold in some health food shops and online, but they provide very low doses, are expensive and there is no evidence that they work.
Order the fact sheet
Questions about pancreatic enzymes?
Speak to your doctor or dietitian if you have questions about taking enzymes. If you haven’t been told about pancreatic enzymes, ask your doctor, nurse or dietitian about them.
You can also speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line with any questions.
Updated January 2020
Review date January 2023