How do digestive enzymes affect timed release meds?

Question

HI, I just started taking 2 extended release meds every day. I also have been taking digestive enzymes after every meal for about 4 years because they help with my bloating and fatigue after eating. I quit taking them recently because I started with the Xtnd release meds and I am worried that using the enzymes will cause the meds to break down and release all at once rather than through out the day like they're supposed to. I really want to start the enzymes again. My pharmacist and doctor could not answer my question definitively, which pisses me off, so I don't know where to turn for answers. Thank you.

Answer 1

As long as you don't take your prescription meds at the same time as the enzymes, I don't think they will affect the release of your medication. Most extended release coatings are designed to breakdown at certain pH values, so unless your enzymes are changing the pH of your intestines they should not affect your medication.

Unless otherwise directed, you should not take your extended-release medication with food. Take them an hour before or at least 2 hours after you eat. Taking them with food can cause them to be retained in the stomach for longer than desired, thereby slowing down their release - especially for enteric coated drugs which are designed to dissolve in the intestine. Again, if you take them some time before or after eating, then the release should not be affected.

Answer 2

Take the enzymes and medications at least 1-2 hours apart, one hour before you eat or 2 hours after, and you should be okay. You just don't want them to be in your stomach at the same time.