5 Pancreatitis Treatments to Help You Recover Faster

If you’ve ever had a meal with lots of rich and fatty foods, your pancreas helped you to digest that meal. The pancreas makes proteins for digestion and releases hormones like insulin to steady your blood sugar levels. Sometimes, the pancreas can get inflamed — a condition known as pancreatitis. 

Pancreatitis can sometimes resolve on its own with time. But in some cases it can be severe and needs treatment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most effective treatments for pancreatitis and how you can recover quickly.

What are symptoms of pancreatitis?

The main symptom of a sudden or acute pancreatitis attack is pain in the middle of your upper abdomen. This pain can also move toward your back, or it may become worse after eating. Other symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fever and chills

• Fast heart rate

• Weight loss

Sometimes pancreatitis can be chronic and recurring over time. In these cases the pain can come and go. Chronic pancreatitis can also cause symptoms like:

• Bloating

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Greasy stools

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting

What causes pancreatitis to flare up?

There are many causes of pancreatitis, but the most common causes are heavy alcohol use and gallstones. These factors account for about two-thirds of pancreatitis cases. The exact manner in which alcohol injures the pancreas isn't clear. But the risk is greater with excessive alcohol use (more than 8 drinks per week for a female or 15 drinks per week for a male).

Other less common causes include:

• Genetics

• Certain medications (like metronidazole, tetracycline, aspirin)

• High triglycerides (levels of fat in the blood)

• Toxins (e.g. methanol, insecticides)

• Birth defect of the pancreas

• Cancer

• Certain infections (like HIV, hepatitis B, mumps)

• Spider bites or scorpion venom 

How do you treat pancreatitis?

The main goal of pancreatitis treatment is to help the pancreas rest to give it time to heal. The more an injured pancreas works, the longer it takes to recover. Here are five common ways that pancreatitis is treated to alleviate the symptoms.

1.  Hydration

One of the most important pancreatitis treatments is fluid hydration. This is important because fever, vomiting, and decreased appetite caused by pancreatitis can lead to dehydration. If you have a mild case, you may be able to drink lots of fluids by mouth. If symptoms are moderate or you have a more serious case, you will need hospital admission with fluids given through an intravenous (IV) infusion.

2. Bowel rest

For mild cases, you may need to reduce how much you eat — especially fatty foods. For moderate or severe pancreatitis, your healthcare provider will recommend complete bowel rest until you begin to feel better. Sometimes, you may need a temporary feeding tube in your nose to maintain your nutrition needs. 

3. Lifestyle changes

Making certain lifestyle changes is an effective treatment for some cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis. If alcohol is a trigger for you, your healthcare provider will recommend stopping alcohol use. 

If your symptoms are very mild, other home remedies for pancreatitis may include:

• Following a low-fat diet

• Eating small meals at a time

• Quitting smoking, if you smoke

• Drinking plenty of water

4. Medications and supplements 

There are a variety of medications or supplements that you may need for pancreatitis treatment. Since pancreatitis is often quite painful, your healthcare provider may suggest pain medication. Other medications and supplements your healthcare provider may suggest include: 

• Digestive enzymes like pancrelipase (to help digest fat) 

• Cholesterol medications like niacin or fenofibrate (to help reduce your triglyceride levels)

• Antibiotics (to treat infection)

• Insulin (to treat diabetes)

5. Surgical procedures

Surgical procedures can be helpful to treat complications from your pancreatitis. Sometimes you can have a fluid collection around the inflamed pancreas. You may need surgery to treat this pseudocyst. Your doctor may drain the cyst using a needle through the skin or use more invasive surgical methods. 

If your pancreatitis is the result of gallstones, you may need to have your gallbladder removed to prevent another flare-up. This is often done after your current pancreatitis symptoms have resolved.

Pancreas surgery is reserved for severe cases that don’t show improvement. Sometimes, your healthcare provider may need to remove all or part of the pancreas to treat severe pancreatitis. 

How long does pancreatitis take to heal?

Most pancreatitis flare-ups will resolve within a few days. But it can take a few weeks for your appetite and energy to return. Your healthcare provider will let you know when it’s safe for you to begin to eat small, low-fat meals. It’s important to listen to your body during this time, and take the time to rest so your body can heal. 

In some cases, pancreatitis can be an ongoing condition that will get better for a while and then return. Chronic pancreatitis can be long-term and the symptoms can change over time. If you’re having ongoing symptoms of pancreatitis, let your healthcare provider know. You can work together to find a treatment plan to make your symptoms manageable. 

When should you see a doctor for pancreatitis treatment?

In severe cases, pancreatitis can be a life-threatening condition. That’s why it’s important to let your healthcare provider know if you have ongoing symptoms that aren’t responding to treatment. You should consider seeking care right away if:

• You’re not getting better with supportive care at home.

• You’re having persistent vomiting.

• Your pain isn’t improving with medications.

• You develop signs of infection, such as fever, fast heart rate, low blood pressure.

• You have signs of dehydration, such as decreased urination, weakness, and dry lips. 

Severe cases of pancreatitis may require intensive care admission due to serious issues like low blood pressure, organ failure, and infection. Make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you’re having any worsening or no improvement of your symptoms. 

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Written by:

Mobola Kukoyi, MD, MPH

Dr. Mobola Kukoyi is a board-certified emergency and trauma physician with expertise in medical education, consulting, and public health. She earned her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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