Digestive Enzymes Coupons & Prices

Looking for a digestive enzymes coupon? Prescription digestive enzymes (pancrelipase) are pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) sold under brand names like Creon, Zenpep, Pancreaze, Pertzye, and Viokace. There is currently no FDA-approved substitutable generic, and cash prices for these brands vary widely from one pharmacy to the next, so comparing before you fill can make a real difference. Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies and provides a free discount coupon you can use at the counter. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you.

What are prescription digestive enzymes and how do they work?

Prescription digestive enzymes are pancrelipase, a combination of three pancreatic enzymes: lipase (which breaks down fats), protease (which breaks down proteins), and amylase (which breaks down starches). They are FDA-approved to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a condition in which the pancreas does not make enough of its own digestive enzymes. Common underlying causes of EPI include cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, surgical removal of the pancreas (pancreatectomy), and pancreatic cancer or a blocked pancreatic duct.

By replacing the missing enzymes, pancrelipase helps the body digest and absorb fats, proteins, and starches, and reduces fatty, greasy, hard-to-flush stools (steatorrhea). It is taken with meals and snacks. This is not medical advice; your provider decides whether you need PERT and at what dose.

Digestive enzymes cost and coupons without insurance

Because there is no substitutable generic, every FDA-approved prescription digestive enzyme is a brand-name product, and cash prices differ a lot depending on the pharmacy, the specific brand, and the strength your provider prescribes. That price spread is exactly why comparing pharmacies matters. Rx.com checks prices across 60,000+ pharmacies and gives you a free coupon to use whether or not you have insurance. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you.

The maker of Creon offers a manufacturer cost-savings program on its official site, creoninfo.com; eligibility and terms vary and commercial savings cards generally cannot be used with Medicare, Medicaid, or other government coverage. Compare the manufacturer program against the cash price with an Rx.com coupon to see which is lower for you.

Brands of prescription pancreatic enzymes to compare

All prescription PERT products contain pancrelipase but are not automatically interchangeable at the pharmacy, so the brand and strength on your prescription matter. Because prices vary by brand and pharmacy, it pays to compare each one:

• Creon
• Zenpep
• Pancreaze
• Pertzye
• Viokace
• pancrelipase

Ask your provider or pharmacist before switching brands, since dosing is measured in lipase units and products differ. Enter your ZIP above to compare prices on the brand you were prescribed.

Safety and how to take digestive enzymes

Swallow the capsules whole with food and enough liquid; do not chew them or hold them in your mouth, which can irritate the mouth (stomatitis). If swallowing is difficult, the capsule contents may be sprinkled on a small amount of soft, acidic food such as applesauce, but they should not be crushed or dissolved. High doses have been linked to fibrosing colonopathy (scarring and narrowing of the colon), especially in people with cystic fibrosis, so never take more than prescribed; dosing is generally kept at or below about 2,500 lipase units per kilogram per meal and 10,000 units per kilogram per day.

Pancrelipase is made from pork pancreas, so there is a theoretical risk of transmitting viral disease and caution is advised if you have a pork-protein allergy. It may raise uric acid levels, which can matter if you have gout or kidney problems. Other possible effects include allergic reactions and GI upset such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or bloating. Pancrelipase is not a controlled substance. This is general information, not medical advice, talk with your provider or pharmacist about your dose and any side effects.