Pepsin: what it is, what it is for, its function and how to use it

Pepsin is a digestive enzyme naturally produced by stomach cells, responsible for the degradation of dietary proteins into peptides, facilitating the digestion process and absorption of peptides by the intestines.

In addition to being produced naturally in the body, pepsin can also be found in the form of supplements or medicines indicated to speed up the digestion process, reducing the feeling of discomfort and a bloated belly.

Supplements or medicines containing pepsin can be found in pharmacies or drugstores, under the names Pepsin + Betaine or Digeplus, and should be used under the advice of a gastroenterologist.

What is it for

Pepsin is indicated for the treatment of functional dyspepsia that causes insufficiency of the pepsin enzyme and symptoms such as:

• Indigestion;
• Swollen belly;
• Excessive burping;
• Excess intestinal gas;
• Dor abdominal;
• Bloating in the belly after eating.

Generally, pepsin is found associated with other substances, such as betaine hydrochloride, metoclopramide or dimethicone, helping to alleviate these symptoms.

The use of pepsin must be carried out with the recommendation of a gastroenterologist, for the duration of treatment recommended by the doctor.

What is the function of pepsin?

Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that is part of gastric juice, and its function is to degrade the peptide bonds of food proteins, forming smaller peptides.

These peptides are then digested by bacteria in the intestine to be absorbed in the form of amino acids.

How to use

Pepsin should be taken orally, with a glass of water, preferably before a meal.

1. Pepsin + betaine

Pepsin + betaine is found in the form of capsule supplements, in compounding pharmacies or drugstores.

The normally recommended dose for adults is 1 capsule before, during or immediately after lunch or dinner.

This supplement should be used with guidance from a gastroenterologist, mainly because there are different doses in the capsules, such as pepsin 40, 60 or 100 mg + betaine hydrochloride 150, 300 or 600 mg, for example.

2. Pepsin + metoclopramide + dimethicone

Pepsin + metoclopramide + dimethicone is found under the trade name Digeplus in the form of hard capsules with microgranules.

The recommended dose for adults is 1 to 2 capsules of Digeplus, before main meals.

The use of pepsin 50 mg + metoclopramide hydrochloride 7 mg + dimethicone 40 mg should only be done with the advice of a gastroenterologist and for the duration of treatment recommended by the doctor.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects of pepsin are the formation of blisters on the skin or skin rash, which is possibly due to the presence of pig proteins in the formulation.

Furthermore, in the case of the medicine containing pepsin + metoclopramide + dimethicone, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness or heart palpitations may also occur.

The formulation that contains metoclopramide in its composition can also cause extrapyramidal reactions, with symptoms such as tremors, slow body movements, muscle rigidity or mental confusion. In these cases, you should stop using it and seek the nearest emergency room. Know how to identify the symptoms of an extrapyramidal reaction.

Who shouldn’t use

Pepsin should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have a stomach or intestinal ulcer or gastritis, or who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids.

Furthermore, pepsin is contraindicated for people who are allergic to this substance or any other component of the supplement or medicine.

Read too: Metoclopramide: what it is, what it is for and how to take it

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