Instructions
Digestive problems occur with overeating, chronic diseases of the liver and digestive organs. Pharmaceutical concerns produce many drugs that can alleviate the patient’s condition and normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Many people are interested in the question of which is better: Festal or Pancreatin, and is there a difference between them. In order to find out, it is necessary to analyze in detail the composition and principle of action of medications.
The principle of operation of the enzyme preparation
If the human body, for some reason, is not able to produce the required amount of enzymes involved in the breakdown of food for its further absorption, processing and elimination, it needs to ensure their supply from the outside with the help of tablets.
The release of enzymes occurs in the small intestine, so enzyme preparations are protected by a special shell, allowing them to easily bypass the aggressive environment of the stomach. Next, enzymes participate in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, accelerate metabolic processes and stabilize the functioning of the digestive tract, simultaneously destroying toxic cells in case of poisoning.
"Festal": brief information about the drug
"Festal" has properties similar to "Pancreatin". Due to the presence of bile acids in its composition, Festal has proven itself in the treatment of the liver, including the bile ducts inside it.
Bile extract helps normalize the choleretic process, absorption of fats and vitamins. The hemicellulase enzyme included in the composition has a beneficial effect on the breakdown of fiber, which leads to a decrease in gas formation in the intestines and improved digestion.
There are the following indications for taking Festal:
- exocrine pancreatic insufficiency;
- as part of complex therapy for liver damage, including cirrhosis;
- for diseases of the biliary tract, loss of bile acids, disruption of the process of bile formation;
- normalization of the digestive process in healthy people after errors in nutrition, in preparation for examinations, as well as during a forced immobile and sedentary lifestyle.
The list of contraindications for Festal is quite wide and includes the following circumstances:
- allergy to the components of the drug;
- chronic pancreatitis in the acute stage, acute form of pancreatitis;
- precoma, coma or liver failure;
- hepatitis;
- hyperbilirubinemia;
- obstructive jaundice, cholelithiasis;
- intestinal obstruction, purulent inflammation of the gallbladder;
- diarrhea;
- the patient's age is under 3 years, pregnancy (possibly after consultation with a doctor).
Indications for use
Enzymatic preparations are used in the following cases:
- when overeating;
- in the absence of physical activity;
- with poor nutrition (meager breakfast and large dinner);
- for chronic pancreatic disease.
In addition to the above, Festal is taken for constipation, increased gas formation, chronic gastritis, cholecystitis, liver diseases, disorders of the production and separation of bile, to replenish bile levels after cholecystectomy and as part of therapy after irradiation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Directions for use and dosage
Pancreatin and Festal are taken orally during or after meals. An approximate dosage regimen is prescribed in the instructions for the medications. Festal is taken 1 tablet three times a day, Pancreatin - 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day. If there is no proper result, the dose can be increased to 2 tablets once. The daily dose of medication should not exceed 6-8 tablets. The dosage form is washed down with plenty of warm water.
Is there a difference between the drugs
Both drugs contain an enzyme called “pancreatin”, which facilitates the digestion of food (protease breaks down protein, amylase breaks down carbohydrates and lipase breaks down fats).
Pancreatin is a single drug and is manufactured in Russia and Ukraine. Three-component Festal is produced in India and France. Its composition is expanded with hemicellulase and bile. Therefore, Festal’s activity is higher, and its list of indications is much wider. However, it cannot be taken in long courses, but Pancreatin can be taken.
Which is better Festal or Pancreatin
In many situations, the drugs are interchangeable. Single-component Pancreatin is cheaper, therefore it is applicable for long-term course treatment. The functionality of Festal is higher, it can be recommended for quick relief of the symptoms of “overeating”.
Depending on the nature of the disease, the drugs will manifest themselves differently. The effectiveness of the drugs depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, including the pH level in the digestive organs. Combined enzymes are important for the combination of liver and biliary tract diseases with impaired digestion.
Festal increases the concentration of uric acid, so patients with gout should give preference to Pancreatin. For duodenogastric reflux, the bile acids contained in Festal make its use impractical.
Characteristics of active ingredients
Pancreatin replenishes the deficiency of pancreatic enzymes for breaking down the food coma into simpler components and their further absorption.
The components of animal bile make it possible to correct biliary insufficiency, which often accompanies chronic pancreatitis. Thanks to them, the production, separation and movement of bile acids is improved and better breakdown of fats is ensured.
Hemicellulase facilitates the breakdown of plant fiber, fights flatulence and stimulates the process of food digestion.
Analogs
Medicines are considered structural analogues of each other with similar therapeutic effects. Medicines have a number of generics:
- Creon. Available in the form of capsules, inside of which there are pellets containing pancreatin. The medicine compensates for the deficiency of enzymes necessary for the normal functioning of the pancreas. Side effects are extremely rare. Price - from 300 rub.
- Mezim. The tablets contain pancreatin, the manufacturer provides the presence of additional components (talc, magnesium stearate, macrogol). Approved for use for dyspepsia and overeating. In case of acute pancreatitis, the drug should not be taken. Cost - from 75 rub.
- Pankreoflat. The tablet form contains dimethicone and pancreatin. The enzyme preparation can be taken during the rehabilitation period after surgery due to diseases of the digestive system. It is strictly forbidden for children to take this medication. Price - from 180 rub.
Medicines must be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Depending on the patient's age, adjustment of the dosage regimen may be necessary. There are analogues on sale that are cheaper than the original (Allohol, Mikrasim).
special instructions
High doses of Festal provoke the development of hyperuricemia/hyperuricuria.
Enzymes are used with caution in cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's disease. A preliminary consultation with a doctor is required.
Pregnancy and lactation
Modern medicine does not answer the question of how safe enzyme preparations are for pregnant women. Therefore, in each specific case, medications are prescribed by the attending physician.
During breastfeeding, Festal and Pancreatin are not prohibited.
Childhood
Children starting from 3 years of age can take Pancreatin and Festal. Since the tablets cannot be divided, otherwise their therapeutic effect is reduced to zero, a dosage of Pancreatin tablets of 125 mg (12.5 units) has been developed especially for small patients. If the child’s age is less than 3 years, he is prescribed “softer” analogues.
Elderly age
No adjustments to enzyme therapy are required for elderly people.
Comparison of the safety of Pancreatin and Festal
The safety of a drug includes many factors.
At the same time, with Pancreatin it is quite similar to Festal. It is important where the drug is metabolized: drugs are excreted from the body either unchanged or in the form of products of their biochemical transformations. Metabolism occurs spontaneously, but most often involves major organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, brain and others. When assessing the metabolism of Pancreatin, as well as of Festal, we look at which organ is the metabolizing organ and how critical the effect on it is.
The risk-benefit ratio is when the prescription of a drug is undesirable, but justified under certain conditions and circumstances, with the obligatory observance of caution in use. At the same time, Pancreatin does not have any risks when used, just like Festal.
Also, when calculating safety, it is taken into account whether only allergic reactions occur or possible dysfunction of the main organs. In other matters, as well as the reversibility of the consequences of using Pancreatin and Festal.
Side effects of Festal and Pancreatin
As a rule, multicomponent drugs have more side effects, and the frequency of their development is higher. From this point of view, Pancretin is much safer than Festal. A complete list of possible undesirable consequences of taking enzymes is given in the table.
| Festal | Pancreatin | |
| From the gastrointestinal tract | Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain | Diarrhea or constipation, abdominal discomfort |
| Allergic manifestations | Sneezing, watery eyes, red skin | Very rarely – skin rashes |
| In children | Oral irritation | Constipation |
Comparison of the effectiveness of Pancreatin and Festal
Festal is more effective than Pancreatin - this means that the ability of the drug substance to provide the maximum possible effect is different.
For example, if the therapeutic effect of Festal is more pronounced, then it is impossible to achieve this effect with Pancreatin even in large doses.
Also, the speed of therapy is an indicator of the speed of therapeutic action; Festal and Pancreatin are also different, as is bioavailability - the amount of a drug substance reaching the place of its action in the body. The higher the bioavailability, the less it will be lost during absorption and use by the body.
Reviews
S.A. Minaev, gastroenterologist, Pyatigorsk: “Both drugs cause positive dynamics in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. If a patient has problems with the functioning of the gallbladder, he is prescribed Festal. It has a complex effect on the body and additionally stimulates the digestive organs. It is also used in preparation for abdominal x-rays.”
E.F. Dadykina, therapist, Anapa: “Pancreatin shows excellent results at a low price, is well tolerated by patients, and side effects are extremely rare. Suitable for long-term use in case of enzyme deficiency. And in case of overeating, 1-2 tablets will “start” the stomach and help quickly digest food.”
Comparison of addiction between Pancreatin and Festal
Like safety, addiction also involves many factors that must be considered when evaluating a drug.
So, the totality of the values of such parameters as “o syndrome” in Pancreatin is quite similar to the similar values in Festal. Withdrawal syndrome is a pathological condition that occurs after the cessation of intake of addictive or dependent substances into the body. And resistance is understood as initial immunity to a drug; in this it differs from addiction, when immunity to a drug develops over a certain period of time. The presence of resistance can only be stated if an attempt has been made to increase the dose of the drug to the maximum possible. At the same time, Pancreatin has quite a small value of “syndrome”, however, the same as Festal.
Patient reviews of Festal and Pancreatin
Denis, 38 years old, Volgograd: “I have had chronic pancreatitis for a long time. The doctor prescribed me to take Pancreatin. I'm taking courses. The product helps to get rid of unpleasant symptoms and improves well-being. I’m also pleased with the low cost: you don’t have to spend a lot of money on pills.”
Anna, 27 years old, Nizhny Novgorod: “The doctor prescribed Festal because of liver problems in combination with other medications. The tablets are small, the dosage regimen is simple and convenient. The drug is good and effective. The only drawback is the price; there are similar medicines that are cheaper. I recommend to all".
