drugs

Pancreatitis Treatment Medications

Definition

Pancreatitis refers to an inflammatory process affecting the pancreas: the disease can appear violently and suddenly (acute pancreatitis), or worsen slowly but inexorably, causing even rather serious permanent disorders (chronic pancreatitis).

Causes

The etiological elements underlying pancreatitis are numerous and heterogeneous: alcohol abuse (alcoholic pancreatitis) and some drugs, gall bladder stones, pancreas or duodenum cancer, cystic fibrosis, bacterial infections, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypertriglyceridemia, genetic predisposition, duodenal ulcer, smoking and operative trauma (postoperative pancreatitis).

Symptoms

The most common symptom that accompanies the various forms of pancreatitis is certainly the severe pain in the lower abdomen, acute, intense, continuous or intermittent. Abdominal pain is accompanied by aerophagia, alteration of body temperature, chills, weight loss, poor digestion, loss of appetite, nausea, presence of fat in the stool, intense salivation and vomiting.

Diet and Nutrition

Information on Pancreatitis - Pancreatitis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Pancreatitis - Pancreatitis Drugs.

drugs

Treatment for the treatment of pancreatitis requires, in most cases, hospitalization of the patient; the first objective to be taken into consideration is the reduction of pain, inflammation and other symptoms:

  • Fasting for a short period is essential to give the pancreas the chance to regain full functionality. After having inflammed the pancreatic gland, the patient must still follow a healthy and balanced diet, drinking plenty of fluids and gradually taking light foods in his diet.
  • Don't drink alcohol.
  • In some cases, it is possible to hydrate the subject suffering from pancreatitis through intravenous fluids (drip).
  • The nasogastric tube is useful to prevent acid stomach juices from entering the duodenal duct: in this way, stimulation of pancreatic activity is denied.
  • Taking therapeutic aids (painkillers and antipyretics) to ward off pain and lower fever.
  • Like any disease, before proceeding with any drug therapy, it is essential to identify the cause of the problem with certainty.
  • In case of severity, surgery is the last solution.

Antibiotics : recommended in cases of pancreatitis associated with bacterial infections (pseudomonas, Klebsiella, enterococci):

  • Third-generation cephalosporins (eg Cefotaxima: Cefotaxima, Aximad, Lirgosin, Lexor). The dosage must be indicated by the doctor. Generally, the treatment should be continued for 7-10 days.
  • Imipenem (eg. Imecitin, Tienam, Tenacid) (class: beta-lactam antibiotics): to be taken intramuscularly at a dose of 500-750 mg every 12 hours; alternatively, take the drug intravenously, at a dosage of 1-2 grams per day.

In case of failure to heal and persist symptoms of pancreatitis, after 7-10 days of treatment, the surgical option is almost always the best.

Pancreatic enzymes : the administration of pancreatic extracts (eg Pancreatin, Creon, Pancrex) has proved particularly useful for the treatment of pancreatitis, in order to compensate for the significant reduction in exocrine pancreatic secretion. Enzymes are important for promoting the digestion of more or less complex molecules, such as proteins, fats and starches. Consequently, a pancreatic enzyme deficiency - a highly probable occurrence in a context of pancreatitis - can significantly impair digestive activity, favoring meteorism, flatulence, abdominal pain and swelling, diarrhea, etc.

The intake dose of pancreatic enzymes must be established by the doctor, depending on the volume and consistency of the stools and the number of patient discharges during the day. Pancreatic enzymes should be taken by mouth.

Therapeutic aids for the control of pain in case of pancreatitis:

  • Ketorolac (eg Girolac, Rikedol, Benketol, Kevindol) the drug is given at a dose of 30 mg every 4-6 hours. Do not exceed 90 mg / day. It belongs to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also used to reduce fever. Alternatively, use paracetamol.
  • Meperidine or Petidina (eg Demerol, Petid C) an opioid analgesic drug to be taken orally at a dose of 50-100 mg every 4 hours, as needed. Or, intramuscularly / intravenously or subcutaneously, at a dosage of 25-100 mg every 4 hours.
  • Tramadol (eg Tralenil, Tramadolo, Fortradol) the drug is an opioid derivative whose dose should be established by the doctor based on the intensity of the pain in the context of pancreatitis (dosage ranging from 25 to 400 mg per day. Consult the doctor)

Note: If the antibiotic therapy does not bring any benefit to the patient, it is possible to proceed in more ways:

  1. Excision of gallstones (when pancreatitis is related to stones)
  2. Surgical excision: removal of part of the diseased pancreatic tissue
  3. Removal of concentrated liquids in the pancreas
  4. Administration of proton pump inhibitors: useful only in the case of peptic pathology in the context of pancreatitis
  5. Gallbladder removal: in case of obstructive pancreatitis