Pancreatin is a mixture of digestive enzymes (including amylase, lipase, and protease) derived from the pancreas of pigs or cows. Its use in treating pancreatitis, specifically chronic pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) resulting from it, has strong scientific backing. In chronic pancreatitis, the pancreatic tissue is damaged and the production of digestive enzymes is significantly reduced, leading to malabsorption, weight loss, steatorrhea (fatty stools), and nutritional deficiencies.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) with pancreatin is standard care for patients with EPI due to chronic pancreatitis. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that PERT improves fat and protein absorption, relieves gastrointestinal symptoms, and helps patients maintain or regain weight. Guidelines from authoritative bodies such as the American College of Gastroenterology and United European Gastroenterology recommend pancreatin for these indications.

However, in acute pancreatitis, PERT is not routinely used during the acute phase; it is reserved for cases where exocrine insufficiency develops as a complication. There is little evidence supporting the use of pancreatin to treat the inflammation itself, but robust evidence supports its use for enzyme supplementation once pancreatic function is compromised.

In summary, pancreatin is scientifically validated and widely accepted for managing exocrine insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis, making it a mainstay of supportive therapy in these patients.