Pancreatitis Treatments

Treatment

Acute Pancreatitis

Treatment for acute pancreatitis depends on the severity of the attack. Hospitalization may be necessary. The main goal is to rest the pancreas. In mild cases, this means you may not have food for 3 to 4 days. In severe cases, you may not be able to have food for 3-6 weeks. You will likely need strong pain medication during this time.

Treatment may also include:

Intravenous (IV) fluids
IV nutrients if you are unable to eat for an extended period of time
Antibiotics if you have an infection
Surgery to drain the fluid building up in the abdomen

Chronic Pancreatitis

The goals of treatment for chronic pancreatitis are to relieve pain and manage nutritional and metabolic problems. Specific steps include:

Strict avoidance of alcohol
Eating less fat
Taking pills containing pancreatic enzymes to help with digestion
Taking insulin to control blood sugar (if diabetes develops)
Eating smaller meals more frequently

Surgery and/or ERCP may be needed to:

Open a blocked pancreatic or biliary duct
Remove part (or rarely all) of the pancreas
Drain pancreatic cysts

If you are diagnosed with pancreatitis, follow your doctor's instructions .

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.