In a double-blind, crossover fashion, this study aimed to explore the effect of adding Omeprazole to treatment with pancreatin on fecal fat excretion in adults with cystic fibrosis.

The impact of using 20 mg once a day Omeprazole along with pancreatin, two or four capsules three times a day, on fecal fat excretion was examined in 9 participants while taking Pancrease, two capsules three times a day (22.3% mean fecal fat excretion; range, 12% to 44%).

The amount of fecal fat excreted was not considerably decreased by either doubling the dose of pancrease (mean, 19.6% [range, 10% to 34%]) or by adding Omeprazole to the lower dose of pancrease (mean, 16.4% [range, 6% to 32%]). In comparison with the two dosages of pancrease alone, combining Omeprazole with pancrease's higher dosage (4 capsules 3 times per day) remarkably minimized fecal fat elimination (mean, 10.7%; range, 4% to 25%).

In patients having cystic fibrosis with severe steatorrhea caused by pancreatic insufficiency, Omeprazole added to high doses of pancreatin (pancrease) appears to decrease fecal fat excretion and improve pancreatin's effectiveness.