Digestive enzyme supplementation in prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and enzyme foods

Background: Digestive enzyme supplements are used in various fields, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and enzyme foods, but few comprehensively organized data are available. In addition, the classification of products containing digestive enzymes differs by country, and except for the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency (PEI), clinical data are lacking. Area covered: This review summarizes current knowledge about digestive enzymes used in pharmaceuticals and foods. Products containing digestive enzymes are divided into prescription drugs for PEI treatment, over-the-counter medicines for dyspepsia, and food enzymes, and the related diseases, prevalence, and market sizes are examined. In addition, the characteristics of enzyme raw materials listed in the Pharmacopoeia and Food Enzyme Database and the characteristics of commercially available products are reviewed. Expert opinion: The market for digestive enzymes is growing rapidly, and its boundaries are becoming unclear. More accurate verification of the efficacy of enzyme products is required, and the selection of enzyme raw materials and design of formulations that consider the pH in the digestive tract are needed.