An enzyme taken with meals for sucrase deficiency
Sacrosidase
An enzyme taken with food to help people who cannot break down ordinary sugar (sucrose) digest it properly.
What is Sacrosidase?
Sacrosidase is a specialist enzyme medicine used in people with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID), an inherited condition where the gut lacks the enzyme needed to break down ordinary sugar (sucrose). Without it, eating sugary foods causes bloating, wind, tummy pain and diarrhoea. Sacrosidase provides the missing enzyme, taken with meals and snacks that contain sugar, so the sugar can be digested. It is derived from yeast, so it is not suitable for people allergic to yeast, and allergic reactions are possible.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Sacrosidase — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Sacrosidase is an enzyme medicine used to help people with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, often shortened to CSID. In this inherited condition, the gut is missing or short of sucrase, the enzyme that breaks down ordinary table sugar (sucrose) into smaller sugars the body can absorb. Without it, undigested sugar passes into the bowel and causes uncomfortable symptoms. Sacrosidase supplies a replacement form of this enzyme. It is a liquid taken by mouth with meals and snacks, and because it is made using yeast, it is not suitable for people with a yeast allergy.
How it works
Ordinary table sugar (sucrose) has to be split into simpler sugars before the body can absorb it, and this job is normally done by the enzyme sucrase in the lining of the gut. People with CSID lack this enzyme, so sucrose passes undigested into the bowel, where it draws in water and is fermented, causing diarrhoea, wind and pain. Sacrosidase provides the missing sucrase activity, so the sugar is broken down as it should be while food is being eaten. Because it works on the food in the meal, it has to be taken with meals and snacks rather than separately.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist enzyme medicine used in the UK to help people with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency digest table sugar.
Practical use
How to take Sacrosidase
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth with every meal and snack that contains sugar, as it works on the food as you eat.
- Mix it into water or a cool or room-temperature drink rather than hot liquids, as heat destroys the enzyme.
- Do not add it to warm food or heat it, for the same reason.
- Tell your team if you are allergic to yeast, as the medicine is made using yeast and would not be suitable.
- Follow any dietary advice you are given, as limiting sugar may still be recommended alongside it.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Sacrosidase
Advantages
- Supplies the missing enzyme so people with CSID can digest ordinary sugar and eat a more normal diet.
- Reduces the bloating, wind, pain and diarrhoea caused by undigested sugar.
- Taken by mouth as a liquid mixed into a cool drink with meals.
Disadvantages
- Has to be taken with every sugar-containing meal and snack, which takes planning.
- Made using yeast, so it cannot be used by people with a yeast allergy.
- Must be kept away from heat and hot drinks, which can destroy the enzyme.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important practical point is timing: sacrosidase has to be taken with every meal and snack that contains sugar, because it works on the food as it is eaten and does nothing if taken apart from food. It is usually mixed into a cool or room-temperature drink or water, because hot drinks and heating can destroy the enzyme, so it should not be added to warm food or hot liquids. As it is made using yeast, it must not be used by anyone allergic to yeast, and allergic-type reactions, including, rarely, serious ones, are possible and should be taken seriously. Many people also follow dietary advice to limit sugar, and a specialist or dietitian helps tailor both diet and the medicine. It does not cure the condition but allows a more normal diet.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who are allergic to yeast must not use it, as it is made using yeast.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to sacrosidase should not use it.
- It is used under specialist or dietitian guidance, alongside appropriate dietary advice.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well digestive symptoms are controlled with treatment.
- Checking the medicine is being taken correctly with meals and mixed appropriately.
- Watching for any allergic-type reactions, especially early on.
Side effects
- Tummy symptoms such as pain, bloating, wind, diarrhoea or constipation in some people.
- Nausea or vomiting, particularly when first getting used to it.
- Allergic-type reactions, which is why yeast allergy must be excluded first.
- Rarely, more serious allergic reactions, which need urgent medical attention.
Key interactions
- There are few well-established routine medicine interactions, but tell your team about all your medicines.
- It should not be mixed with hot food or drink, which can stop it working.
- Yeast allergy is the most important thing to check before use.
Available as: An oral liquid taken with meals, usually mixed into a cool drink.
Answers
Sacrosidase: frequently asked questions
What is sacrosidase used for?
It is used in congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency to supply the missing enzyme that breaks down ordinary sugar, helping prevent bloating, wind, pain and diarrhoea.
Why must I take it with food?
It works on the sugar in your meal as you eat, so it has to be taken with every meal and snack that contains sugar to do its job.
Can I mix it with a hot drink?
No. Heat and hot drinks destroy the enzyme, so it should be mixed into water or a cool or room-temperature drink and kept away from heat.
Is it safe if I am allergic to yeast?
No. Sacrosidase is made using yeast, so it must not be used by anyone allergic to yeast because of the risk of an allergic reaction.
Does it cure the condition?
No, it does not cure CSID, but it lets the body digest sugar so you can follow a more normal diet, usually alongside dietary advice.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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