Constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the intestines, nausea and vomiting are the consequences of this. To solve all these problems, drugs such as Festal and Pancreatin often come to the rescue. What is their difference? And which one is better?

When are drugs indicated?

Both Festal and Pancreatin are drugs that help improve digestion.

Due to the pancreatic enzymes included in their composition, they break down proteins into amino acids, fats into glycerol and fatty acids, and starch into dextrins and monosaccharides, thereby improving their absorption and normalizing digestion processes.

In principle, these drugs are similar in their effects, and therefore have similar indications for use.

Pancreatin can be taken with:

• chronic pancreatitis, but only in the stage of stable remission;
• conditions after irradiation;
• diarrhea of ​​non-infectious origin;
• pancreatectomy;
• dyspepsia;
• resection of the digestive organs;
• Roemheld's syndrome.

It can also be prescribed to persons with normal gastrointestinal function to improve the digestion of heavy foods (baking, fried, etc.), as well as with a sedentary lifestyle, chewing disorders and prolonged immobilization. In addition, Pancreatin is used as a preparation of abdominal organs for ultrasound examination.

• insufficiency of exocrine function of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis;
• diffuse liver diseases;
• processes of bile formation and bile secretion in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• to improve digestion in persons with normal gastrointestinal function;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• prolonged immobilization;
• preparation of the digestive organs for ultrasound examination.

So what is the difference between these drugs? And which one is better and most effective? To answer this question, it is necessary to study their composition.

Difference

Pancreatin is an enzyme preparation containing in its composition an active substance called pancreatin, and excipients povidone, calcium stearate and lactose monohydrate. The tablets are coated with a coating made of methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate copolymer, macrogol, titanium dioxide and azorubin dye.

Festal is also an enzyme preparation, however, in addition to pancreatin, it also contains active substances such as bovine bile and hemicellulose. The only excipient is sodium chloride.

Festal tablets are also coated with a special shell, only its composition is completely different from the shell with which Pancreatin tablets are coated. These are sucrose, cellacephate, gelatin, calcium carbonate, glycerol and ethyl vanillin.

Based on this, we can conclude that the difference between Festal and Pancreatin is only in the amount of active substances that affect the digestive system:

And since Festal contains more active ingredients, we can say that it is better than Pancreatin.

However, it can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions. While Pancreatin causes such side effects much less frequently.

By the way, both of these drugs can be used during pregnancy and lactation, but only under medical supervision. They help to eliminate heartburn, nausea and vomiting, which are characteristic of pregnancy, especially in the I and II trimester.

As for the cost of drugs, here Pancreatin outperforms Festal, since its cost on the Russian market is 2.5 - 3 times less. For example, the average cost of Pancreatin is 30 - 50 rubles, while a small package of Festal costs 100 - 130 rubles.

Of course, if a course of treatment is required, then it is better to take Festal. But if the patient needs a constant intake of enzymes to improve digestion, then based on financial savings, it is better to buy Pancreatin.

But in any case, it is not worth making a decision on taking Festal and Pancreatin on your own, since with some diseases of the digestive system they can provoke the development of complications. Be sure to consult with your physician.

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