Digestal

Digestal is a complex enzyme medicine that replenishes the deficiency of bile elements and pancreatic enzymes, and also helps improve digestive function.

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Indications Digestal

It is used for the following disorders:

• insufficiency of the exocrine activity of the pancreas (diseases such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis);
• intestinal or gastric pathologies and diseases of the gallbladder, which have an inflammatory-dystrophic nature and are chronic (conditions that develop in connection with radiation or resection of these organs, against the background of which there are disorders of digestion of food products, bloating and diarrhea) - together with other medications;
• during preparation for an ultrasound or X-ray of the abdominal organs;
• the presence of errors in the diet, and in addition to this, disorders of chewing activity, prolonged forced immobility and a sedentary, inactive lifestyle (to improve food digestion in people without disorders of the gastrointestinal tract).

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Release form

The substance is released in the form of dragees, inside cell plates, in the amount of 10 pieces. The box contains 3 such plates.

In addition, it is sold in tablets, 10 or 20 pieces inside blisters. The pack contains 3 blisters.

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Pharmacodynamics

The active ingredients of the medicine compensate for the insufficiency of the liver's bile-excreting activity, as well as the excretory activity of the pancreas. The enzymes contained in pancreatin (protease and amylase with lipase) help facilitate the digestion of fats with carbohydrates and proteins, due to which they are more fully absorbed inside the small intestine.

The enzyme hemicellulose helps to activate the processes of breaking down plant fiber, which also improves digestive function and reduces intestinal gas formation.

Bile extract has choleretic activity. It helps the pancreas to secrete lipase and facilitates the process of fat digestion.

Dosing and administration

The medicine should be swallowed whole, without chewing the tablet/pill. It is recommended to use the substance with or after food.

Digestal should be used according to the following schemes:

• Adults should take 1-3 pills 3 times a day (larger portions should be discussed with a doctor). Children's dosages are selected by a doctor, individually;
• On average, 1-2 tablets are taken per day.

The duration of treatment depends on the prescribed indications and varies from several days (digestive disorders associated with dietary errors) to several months or years (use in the form of regular replacement therapy).

Use Digestal during pregnancy

It is not recommended to use Digestal during breastfeeding or pregnancy, because there is not enough clinical data regarding the use of the drug during these periods.

This category of patients is prescribed the drug only in situations where the likely benefit is more expected than the risk of negative consequences.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• acute stage of pancreatitis;
• cholelithiasis;
• exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis;
• hepatitis;
• liver failure;
• mechanical form of jaundice;
• the presence of hypersensitivity to medicinal substances.

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Side effects Digestal

The administration of the drug may cause the following side effects:

• digestive disorders: weakening of endogenous binding of bile acids. Long-term use in large portions leads to hyperuricosuria or increased plasma uric acid levels;
• other disorders: allergy symptoms.

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Interactions with other drugs

Combined administration with iron medications may lead to a decrease in their absorption.

Combination with calcium- or magnesium-containing antacids may cause a decrease in the therapeutic activity of Digestal.

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Storage conditions

Digestal should be stored in a dry, dark place, out of the reach of small children. Temperature marks - up to 15°C (for tablets) and 25°C (for dragees).

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Shelf life

Digestal can be used within a 24-month period from the date of manufacture of the tablets. The shelf life of the pills is 36 months.

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Analogues

The analogues of the drug are Digestin, Penzital, Pepzim, Ferestal with Enzibene, and also Panzinorm, Adzhizim, Ipental with Panenzim and Pangrol with Festal. The list also includes Mikrazim, Enzistal, Mezim forte, Pancreatin, Creon and Pancreazim with Ermithal and Pancitrate, and also Unienzyme, Forte Enzyme, etc.

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Reviews

Digestal is considered to be a fairly effective medication that copes with the disorders it is intended to treat. Reviews also note the rarity of negative symptoms and the relatively low cost of the drug (compared to others in this therapeutic group).