Pancrelipase (By mouth)
AM-i-lase, LYE-pase, PROE-tee-ase
Helps patients who have cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, or digestive disorders digest food.
Drug classes
Digestant, Enzyme Replacement, Gastrointestinal Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pancrelipase is used to help improve food digestion in certain conditions (eg, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis) where the pancreas is not working properly.
Pancrelipase contains the enzymes needed for the digestion of proteins, starches, and fats.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Capsule, Delayed Release Capsule, Long Acting Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Coated Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Drink a full glass of water with your medicine and plenty of fluids during the day.
Take this medicine with food as directed by your doctor.
Viokace™ tablets are used in combination with medicines for stomach ulcers called proton pump inhibitors, such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, Nexium®, Prevacid®, or Prilosec®.
If the capsule opens, avoid breathing in the powder. It can be irritating to your lungs.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not let it dissolve in your mouth. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Swallow the delayed-released capsule whole. Do not chew or crush it. If the capsule is too big to swallow, open it and put the contents in soft acidic food (such as applesauce or yogurt). Swallow the mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods or liquids, such as milk.
When the delayed-released capsule is given to infants, it may be put directly into the mouth. It may also be opened and the contents mixed with a small amount of soft food (such as applesauce). Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods or liquids, such as breast milk or formula.
Take the powder with meals. Avoid breathing in the powder. It can be irritating to your lungs.
Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about any special diet.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the delayed-release capsules in a tightly closed container to protect them from moisture.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you take iron supplements or vitamins that contain iron.
When Not To Use
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to pancrelipase, pancreatin, or pork products.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, gout, high uric acid in the blood or urine (hyperuricemia or hyperuricosuria), severe pancreas disease, or bowel problems. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing capsules or a history of problems with blood sugar levels.
Check with your doctor right away if you have unusual or severe stomach pain, constipation, nausea, or vomiting. These may be symptoms of a rare but serious bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy.
Tell your doctor if you are lactose intolerant. Viokaceâ„¢ tablets contain lactose, which can make this condition worse.
This medicine is made from the pancreas of pigs. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of pig organs has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing for certain viruses and testing during the making of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Joint pain
Severe stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
Swelling in your feet or lower legs
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild diarrhea or upset stomach
Nosebleeds
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Creon, Palcaps, Pancreaze, Pancrelipase, Pangestyme EC, Panocaps, Pertzye, Ultracaps, Ultresa, Viokace, Viokase, Zenpep
There may be other brand names for this medicine.