How to Take Pancreatic Enzymes Correctly

How to Swallow PERT Capsules

Step-by-Step Instructions

1Have your meal, a glass of water, and your enzymes ready before you start eating
2Take a few bites of food to moisten your mouth and start the eating process
3Place the capsule(s) on your tongue - you can take 1-3 at a time
4Take a generous sip of water (or juice) and swallow without chewing
5Continue eating your meal normally
6For longer meals, repeat with additional capsules halfway through

Good Drinks for Swallowing

• Water (room temperature or cold)
• Apple juice
• Orange juice (not too acidic)
• Milk or milk alternatives
• Smoothies

Avoid These Drinks

• Very hot beverages (damages enzymes)
• Highly alkaline drinks (reduces effectiveness)
• Carbonated drinks (may cause capsule to dissolve early)
• Alcohol (can irritate mouth if sprinkled)

If You Can't Swallow Capsules

Many people have difficulty swallowing large capsules. Fortunately, PERT capsules contain tiny coated granules (called microspheres or minimicrospheres) that can be sprinkled on soft food.

How to Sprinkle Enzymes on Food

1Open the capsule carefully over a small amount of soft, acidic food
2Sprinkle all the granules onto the food - don't mix them in
3Swallow the food immediately without chewing the granules
4Follow with a glass of water or juice

Best Foods for Sprinkling

Recommended Foods

• Unsweetened applesauce (best option)
• Mashed banana
• Pureed pears
• Baby food fruits
• Yogurt (plain, room temperature)

Foods to Avoid

• Hot foods (destroys enzymes)
• Alkaline foods (dairy desserts)
• Crunchy or chewy foods
• Liquids alone (granules sink)

Critical Warning

Never chew or crush the granules. The special coating protects the enzymes from stomach acid. If crushed, the enzymes will be destroyed before reaching your small intestine, and you may experience mouth sores from the enzyme activity.

Taking PERT with Different Foods

Food Type	Fat Content	Typical Dose
High-fat meal (fried foods, creamy sauces)	40-60g fat	72,000-100,000 lipase units
Moderate meal (grilled meat, vegetables)	20-40g fat	36,000-72,000 lipase units
Light meal (salad, lean protein)	10-20g fat	24,000-36,000 lipase units
Snack (yogurt, cheese)	5-15g fat	12,000-24,000 lipase units

Note: These are general guidelines. Your doctor may recommend different doses based on your individual needs. Use our PERT Calculator for personalized recommendations.

Storage Requirements

Proper Storage

Store at room temperature (59-77°F / 15-25°C)
Keep in original container with lid tightly closed
Protect from moisture and humidity
Keep away from direct sunlight

Storage Don'ts

Don't refrigerate (moisture damage)
Don't store in bathroom (humidity)
Don't leave in hot car
Don't use past expiration date

Traveling with PERT

When traveling, keep enzymes in your carry-on luggage (not checked bags) to avoid temperature extremes. Use a small pill case for daily doses, but keep the original bottle for longer trips. In hot climates, use insulated bags but avoid ice packs touching the container directly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake: Crushing or Chewing Capsules

Why it's a problem: The enteric coating protects enzymes from stomach acid. Crushing exposes them to acid destruction and can cause mouth irritation.

Solution: Swallow whole or sprinkle on acidic soft food without chewing.

Mistake: Taking Enzymes on an Empty Stomach

Why it's a problem: Without food, enzymes have nothing to digest and may cause stomach discomfort.

Solution: Always take with food or immediately before eating.

Mistake: Using the Same Dose for Every Meal

Why it's a problem: Different meals have different fat content and require different enzyme amounts.

Solution: Adjust dose based on meal size and fat content. Learn to estimate fat grams.

How to Take PERT: Complete Instructions

Quick Answer: How to Take PERT