Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency happens when the pancreas cannot release enough digestive enzymes to break down fat, protein, and starch. Many people use pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which means taking pancrelipase enzymes with meals to help absorb nutrients and reduce greasy stools. This category supports comparison shopping, and Ships from Canada to US, so you can browse brands, dosage forms, and lipase strengths side by side while noting that stock and strengths can vary.
You can compare delayed-release capsules versus non–enteric-coated tablets, as well as common strength ranges for different meal sizes. You can also review guidance on timing, storage, and when to ask a clinician about dose adjustments or symptom changes. If you are researching similar digestion problems in pets, keep in mind that human prescriptions differ from veterinary products and dosing.
What’s in This Category for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
This category focuses on prescription pancrelipase products used for EPI and other maldigestion states. Pancrelipase combines lipase, protease, and amylase to help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Most options are enteric-coated (acid-resistant) beads or microspheres inside capsules, designed to release enzymes in the small intestine. Some options are non–enteric-coated tablets and may be paired with acid suppression, based on clinician direction.
Many shoppers compare products by lipase units per capsule or tablet, since lipase strength often drives meal dosing. You may see several strength steps within a single brand family, which can help fine-tune dosing for snacks versus meals. Some people also compare capsule designs that can be opened and sprinkled on soft food, which matters for swallowing difficulty. If you are sorting out possible exocrine pancreatic insufficiency causes, common contributors include chronic pancreatic disease, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic surgery.
Typical audiences include people with fat malabsorption, unexplained weight loss, or chronic diarrhea that persists despite diet changes. Some shoppers arrive after stool testing, imaging, or a clinical workup for nutrient deficiencies. Others are following a long-term plan for Chronic Pancreatitis or Cystic Fibrosis, where enzymes may support digestion with meals.

Form
What to compare
Who it may suit

Delayed-release capsules
Lipase units, capsule size, sprinkle option
Most people taking enzymes with regular meals

Non–enteric-coated tablets
Need for acid control, timing with food
Selected cases where tablets are preferred clinically

How to Choose
Start by matching the form to how you take medications and meals. If swallowing is hard, ask whether a capsule can be opened and sprinkled on soft food, and confirm the correct technique. Next, compare lipase strength options, since meal dosing often changes with fat content and portion size. If your clinician adjusts dose over time, a wider strength range can make changes simpler.
Storage and handling also matter for enzyme activity. Many pancrelipase products should be stored at room temperature and protected from excess heat and moisture. If you use a sprinkle method, avoid chewing the beads, since that can affect release and irritate the mouth. When reviewing safety basics, use the official medication guide and labeling from a neutral reference like NIH MedlinePlus pancrelipase information for patients.
These checks can help avoid common selection mistakes:

Choosing a strength only by capsule count, instead of lipase units.
Switching brands without reviewing dose equivalence with a clinician.
Taking enzymes before or after meals in a way that reduces benefit.

If your plan includes pancreatic insufficiency treatment, also consider how easy it is to split dosing across the meal. Many people take part of the dose with the first bites and the rest midway through the meal. If you use acid-reducing therapy, confirm whether it is intended to support enzyme performance. Keep notes on meals and symptoms for a few weeks, since patterns often guide the next adjustment.
Popular Options
Many people start with well-known delayed-release pancrelipase capsules, then adjust strength based on meals and response. Creon delayed-release capsules are a common choice, with multiple strengths used across different meal sizes. Some shoppers compare guidance on administration and sprinkle methods, especially when routines change. For practical tips on timing and food pairing, review How to Take Creon alongside your prescriber’s directions.
Another frequently compared option is Zenpep delayed-release capsules, which also comes in a range of lipase strengths. If you are deciding between brands, focus on available strengths, capsule handling preferences, and insurance or prescription constraints. A neutral comparison can help organize questions for your next visit, including dose conversion and side effects. See Creon vs Zenpep for a brand-level overview.
Some shoppers need a specific strength step, such as 24,000-unit lipase capsules, to better match meal patterns. Others may be directed to a non–enteric-coated option, such as non–enteric-coated pancrelipase tablets, when clinical factors call for it. For a broader explanation of how products fit into care, read Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT).
Related Conditions & Uses
EPI often overlaps with broader digestion and absorption concerns, so many shoppers also read about downstream effects. Ongoing fat malabsorption can contribute to nutrient deficiencies, weight loss, and stool changes, and it may be discussed under Malabsorption. Some people notice pale, bulky, or oily stools and want context on causes and next steps. If that sounds familiar, Steatorrhea causes and treatment offers plain-language background.
When you are tracking exocrine pancreatic insufficiency symptoms, it helps to separate digestive signs from non-digestive clues like fatigue from low nutrient stores. Some people are evaluated for related pancreatic conditions, including inflammation or structural disease, and that history can affect how enzymes are prescribed and monitored. If you want a deeper symptom checklist and what to document, see Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Symptoms. For treatment planning topics like dose titration and follow-up, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Treatment can help you prepare for a clinician visit.
Diet changes often sit beside medication, but they should be personalized to your diagnosis and nutrition status. Many people ask about fat intake, meal timing, alcohol, and vitamin supplementation, especially when chronic pancreatitis is involved. If your care team recommends diet changes, keep enzymes consistent while you test one adjustment at a time. That approach can make it easier to understand what is helping and what needs refinement.
Testing and Monitoring
Testing can clarify whether symptoms point to enzyme deficiency or another digestive issue. Clinicians may use fecal elastase as a screening marker, plus stool fat testing, labs for vitamin levels, or imaging when needed. If you have pancreatic insufficiency symptoms that persist despite basic diet changes, tracking stool pattern, weight, and meal fat content can support a more accurate dose plan. Bring that record to follow-ups, especially during the first few months of therapy changes.
Monitoring also helps you and your care team evaluate response and safety over time. Dose changes are often based on meal size, symptom control, and nutrition markers, not just capsule counts. Tell your clinician if constipation, abdominal pain, or mouth irritation occurs, since technique and dosing can be adjusted. Ask how long to wait before judging a change, because day-to-day variation can hide true trends.
Many people also want realistic expectations about long-term outlook. Life expectancy often depends on the underlying cause, nutrition status, and how early treatment starts. If you have new or worsening symptoms, seek medical advice promptly, since EPI can overlap with other pancreatic or intestinal conditions.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Authoritative Sources

General patient guidance on pancrelipase use is available from NIH MedlinePlus pancrelipase.
Digestive care context for enzyme therapy is outlined by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on pancreatic enzymes.
Regulatory and product safety information can be found via FDA Drugs@FDA database listings.