Digex

Generic name: amylase/lipase/protease/cellulase/hyoscyamine/phenyltoloxamine [ a-mah-LASE/LYE-pase/PRO-tee-ase/SEL-ue-lase/HYE-oh-SYE-a-meen/fen-il-tole-OX-a-meen ]
Brand name: Examples include Digex and Gastrinex

Digex is used for:

Relieving symptoms of indigestion (eg, feeling of fullness, gas, bloating) that occur after meals.

Digex is a digestive enzyme and anticholinergic combination. It works by helping the body to digest protein, starch, and fat. It also decreases bowel spasms.

Do NOT use Digex if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Digex or to pork protein
• you have inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or a flare-up of long-term pancreas problems
• you have severe esophagus problems (eg, irritation, narrowing); a blockage of the stomach, bowel, or bladder; bowel motility problems; or severe bowel problems (eg, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon)
• you have glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or heart problems caused by severe bleeding

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Digex:

Some medical conditions may interact with Digex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of pancreas problems, stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage, short bowel syndrome), or cystic fibrosis
• if you have nerve problems, prostate problems, esophagus problems (eg, reflux), heart or blood vessel problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart failure, coronary heart disease), hiatal hernia, kidney problems, an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, urinary problems, paralysis, or brain damage, or if you are at risk for glaucoma
• if you have diarrhea or fever, have been very ill, or are in poor health

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Digex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amantadine, antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), haloperidol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), other anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Digex's side effects
• Narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine) or potassium chloride because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Digex
• Ketoconazole or metoclopramide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Digex

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Digex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Digex:

Use Digex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Digex by mouth with each meal or snack as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Digex, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once or take a dose without a snack or a meal.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Digex.

Important safety information:

• Digex may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Digex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Digex; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• If you open the capsule, do not breathe in the powder. Some patients may experience an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) from breathing in the powder.
• Do not become overheated or dehydrated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
• Drink plenty of fluids, maintain good oral hygiene, and suck on sugarless hard candy to relieve dry mouth.
• Proper dental care is important while you are taking Digex. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
• Digex may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Digex before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Contact your doctor if you have loose stools while you take Digex. Your doctor may need to decrease your dose.
• Use Digex with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially constipation, trouble urinating, dry mouth, drowsiness, agitation, confusion, excitability, or memory problems.
• Caution is advised when using Digex in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially excitability.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Digex can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Digex while you are pregnant. Digex is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Digex, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Digex:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; decreased sweating; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; enlarged pupils; excitability; headache; nausea; nervousness; trouble sleeping; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; behavior changes; confusion; decreased sexual ability; difficulty focusing eyes; disorientation; exaggerated sense of well-being; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; loss of coordination; memory loss; mental or mood changes; severe or persistent loose stools or diarrhea; severe or persistent stomach pain; severe or persistent trouble sleeping; speech changes; taste changes or loss; trouble urinating; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; disorientation; excessive thirst or excitability; fever; hot, dry skin; seizures; severe dry mouth; severe or persistent blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nausea, or vomiting; trouble breathing or swallowing.

Proper storage of Digex:

Store Digex at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Digex out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Digex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Digex is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Digex or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Digex. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Digex. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Digex.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer