Medication reference
Lipase
ORAL
Lipase. 1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE VIOKACE, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due

Brand names
CreonPERTZYEViokace
Active ingredients
PANCRELIPASE AMYLASEPANCRELIPASE LIPASEPANCRELIPASE PROTEASE
Indications
1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE VIOKACE, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy in adults. VIOKACE, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy in adults. ( 1 )
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Dosing Information ( 2.1 ) PERTZYE is a mixture of enzymes including lipases, proteases, and amylases and dosing is based on lipase units. Dosing scheme based on actual body weight or fat ingestion. Individualize the dosage based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet. Do not exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day in adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age without further investigation. ( 5.1 ) The total daily dosage in adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age should reflect approximately three meals plus two or three snacks per day. With each snack, administer approximately half the prescribed dose for a meal. Do not substitute other pancreatic enzyme products for PERTZYE. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to PERTZYE, monitor patients for clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and titrate the dosage as needed. Recommended Dosage ( 2.2 ) Adults and Pediatric Patients Greater than 12 Months : The recommended initial starting dosage is: 500 lipase units/kg/meal for adult and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal for pediatric patients greater than 12 months to less than 4 years of age. Titrate the dosage to either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Higher dosages may be administered if documented to be effective by fecal fat measures or improvement in malabsorption. Pediatric Patients Birth to 12 Months: The recommended dosage is 4,000 lipase units (one capsule) per 120 mL of formula or per breastfeeding. Preparation and Administration Instructions ( 2.3 ) Swallow capsules whole. For patients unable to swallow intact capsule(s), the capsule contents may be sprinkled on soft acidic food (e.g., applesauce). The 4,000 USP lipase unit capsule may be administered with applesauce via gastrostomy tube (14 French or larger). The contents of no more than two capsules may be administered at a time. Do not crush or chew PERTZYE capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids to ensure complete swallowing of PERTZYE. ( 5.2 ) See the full prescribing information for additional information on administering to pediatric patients birth to 12 months of age. 2.1 Important Dosing Information PERTZYE is a mixture of enzymes including lipases, proteases, and amylases. PERTZYE dosing is based on lipase units. Use either an actual body weight or fat ingestion-based dosing scheme. Start at the lowest recommended dosage and individualize the dosage based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet. Changes in dosage may require an adjustment period of several days. Do not exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day in adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age without further investigation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The total daily dosage in adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age should reflect approximately three meals plus two or three snacks per day. With each snack, administer approximately half the prescribed PERTZYE dose for a meal. Do not substitute other pancreatic enzyme products for PERTZYE. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to PERTZYE, monitor patients for clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and titrate the dosage as needed. 2.2 Recommended Dosage Adults and Pediatric Patients Greater than 12 Months of Age The recommended oral initial starting dosage is: 500 lipase units/kg/meal for adult and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal for pediatric patients greater than 12 months to less than 4 years of age. If signs and symptoms of malabsorption persist, increase the dosage. Titrate to either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/gram of fat ingested/day. Higher dosages may be administered if they are documented to be effective by fecal fat measures or an improvement in signs or symptoms of malabsorption including measures of nutritional status. Pediatric Patients Birth to 12 Months of Age The recommended oral dosage is 4,000 lipase units per 120 mL of formula or per breastfeeding. 2.3 Preparation and Administration Instructions Adult and Pediatric Patients Greater than 12 Months of Age Instruct adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age, or their caregivers, of the following: Take PERTZYE with meals or snacks. If a dose is missed, take the next dose with the next meal or snack. Swallow capsules whole. For patients unable to swallow intact capsules, the capsule contents may be sprinkled on a small amount of soft acidic food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., applesauce). The 4,000 USP lipase unit capsule may also be administered with applesauce via gastrostomy tube 14 French or larger. Do not crush or chew PERTZYE capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids (water or juice) to ensure complete swallowing of PERTZYE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Oral Administration for Patients Unable to Swallow Intact Capsules Carefully open the capsules and sprinkle the entire contents on a small amount of acidic soft food (approximately 10 mL) with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., applesauce). Mix the capsule contents with the acidic soft food (e.g., applesauce) being careful not to crush the contents. Consume the entire mixture immediately. Do not save the mixture for later use. Consume sufficient fluids to ensure complete swallowing of the PERTZYE food mixture. Gastrostomy Tube Administration (14 French Gastrostomy Tube or Larger) Only perform gastrostomy tube administration with the contents of the 4,000 USP lipase unit capsule of PERTZYE. The contents of no more than two capsules may be administered at a time in the gastrostomy tube. Transfer a minimum of 10 mL of applesauce into a small bowl or medicine cup. Carefully open one or two PERTZYE 4,000 lipase unit capsules. Mix the capsule contents thoroughly with the transferred applesauce to create a uniform suspension being careful not to crush the contents. Once mixed, administer the suspension immediately. Remove the plunger from a 35 mL slip tip syringe. Cover the tip of the syringe with your finger. Transfer the PERTZYE-applesauce mixture into the syringe. Replace the plunger partially back into the syringe. Shake or tap the syringe lightly with the syringe tip facing upward so that the PERTZYE-applesauce mixture will move towards the plunger. Carefully push the plunger slowly until the residual air is removed from the syringe tip. Once the residual air is removed, connect the syringe directly into the gastrostomy tube feeding port. Push the syringe contents into the gastrostomy tube feeding port using steady pressure until empty. Draw up approximately 10 mL of water with the slip tip syringe and flush the gastrostomy tube feeding port with the water. Discard any unused portion of the PERTZYE-applesauce mixture. Do not save for later use. If dose requires more than two capsules, repeat steps 1-9 until prescribed dose is reached. Pediatric Patients Birth to 12 Months of Age: Instruct caregivers of pediatric patients birth to 12 months of age of the following: Immediately prior to each breastfeeding session or each administration of 120 mL of formula, carefully open one PERTZYE capsule (containing 4,000 USP units of lipase) and administer the entire contents using one of the following two methods: Sprinkle on a small amount of acidic soft food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., applesauce) being careful not to crush the capsule contents. The entire mixture should be given to the infant immediately. Sprinkle the capsule contents directly into the infant's mouth. Immediately administer breast milk or formula after PERT
Warnings
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Fibrosing Colonopathy : Associated with high doses, usually over prolonged use and in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Colonic stricture reported in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age with dosages exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal. Monitor during treatment for progression of preexisting disease. Do not exceed the recommended dosage, unless clinically indicated. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Irritation of the Oral Mucosa : May occur due to loss of protective enteric coating on the capsule contents. ( 5.2 ) Hyperuricemia : Reported with high dosages, consider monitoring blood uric acid levels in patients with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia. ( 5.3 ) Risk of Viral Transmission : The presence of porcine viruses that might infect humans cannot be definitely excluded. ( 5.4 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions : Monitor patients with known reactions to proteins of porcine origin. If symptoms occur, initiate appropriate medical management; consider the risks and benefits of continued treatment. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Fibrosing Colonopathy Fibrosing colonopathy has been reported following treatment with pancreatic enzyme products. Fibrosing colonopathy is a rare, serious adverse reaction initially described in association with use of high-dose pancreatic enzyme products, usually with use over a prolonged period of time and most commonly reported in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Pancreatic enzyme products exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal have been associated with colonic stricture, a complication of fibrosing colonopathy, in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age. The underlying mechanism of fibrosing colonopathy remains unknown. If there is a history of fibrosing colonopathy, monitor patients during treatment with PERTZYE because some patients may be at risk of progressing to colonic stricture formation. It is uncertain whether regression of fibrosing colonopathy occurs. Do not exceed the recommended dosage of either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day in adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age without further investigation. Higher dosages may be administered if they are documented to be effective by fecal fat measures or an improvement in signs and symptoms of malabsorption including measures of nutritional status. Patients receiving dosages higher than 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal should be frequently monitored for symptoms of fibrosing colonopathy and the dosage decreased or titrated downward to a lower range if clinically appropriate [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . 5.2 Irritation of the Oral Mucosa Crushing or chewing PERTZYE capsules or mixing the capsule contents in foods having a pH greater than 4.5 can disrupt the protective enteric coating on the capsule contents and result in early release of enzymes, irritation of the oral mucosa, and/or loss of enzyme activity. Instruct the patient or caregiver of the following: Swallow capsules whole. For patients who cannot swallow the capsules whole, the capsules can be opened, and the contents sprinkled on a small amount of acidic soft food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., applesauce). The 4,000 USP lipase unit capsule may also be administered with applesauce via a gastrostomy tube with a diameter of 14 French or larger. Do not crush or chew PERTZYE capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk, or formula) immediately following administration of PERTZYE to ensure complete swallowing. Visually inspect the mouth of pediatric patients less than 12 months of age and of patients who are unable to swallow intact capsules to ensure no drug is retained in the mouth and irritation of the oral mucosa has not occurred [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 5.3 Hyperuricemia Pancreatic enzyme products contain purines that may increase blood uric acid levels. High dosages have been associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia [see Overdosage (10) ] . Consider monitoring blood uric acid levels in patients with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia during treatment with PERTZYE. 5.4 Risk of Viral Transmission PERTZYE is sourced from pancreatic tissue from swine used for food consumption. Although the risk that PERTZYE will transmit an infectious agent to humans has been reduced by testing for certain viruses during manufacturing and by inactivating certain viruses during manufacturing, there is a theoretical risk for transmission of viral disease, including diseases caused by novel or unidentified viruses. Thus, the presence of porcine viruses that might infect humans cannot be definitely excluded. However, no cases of transmission of an infectious illness associated with the use of porcine pancreatic extracts have been reported. 5.5 Hypersensitivity Reactions Severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus have been reported with pancreatic enzyme products [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . If symptoms occur, initiate appropriate medical management. Monitor patients with a known hypersensitivity reaction to proteins of porcine origin for hypersensitivity reactions during treatment with PERTZYE. The risks and benefits of continued PERTZYE treatment in patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions should be taken into consideration with the overall clinical needs of the patient.
Contraindications
4. CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
Adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious or otherwise important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Fibrosing Colonopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Irritation of the Oral Mucosa [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hyperuricemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Risk of Viral Transmission [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Most Common Adverse R eactions ( 6.1 ) C ystic fibrosis adult and pediatric patients : 7 years and older (≥4%): vomiting, dizziness, cough. 4 months to 6 years (6%): vomiting, irritability, decreased appetite. C hronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy patient s: Adults (≥ 4%): hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, abdominal pain, abnormal feces, flatulence, frequent bowel movements, nasopharyngitis. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie Inc. at 1-800-633-9110 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to CREON in 92 patients: 67 patients aged 4 months to 43 years with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis (Studies 1, 2, and 3) and 25 adults with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy (Study 4) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.1 , 14.2 )] . Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due to Cystic Fibrosis in Adult and Pediatric Patients Adult and Pediatric Patients 7 Years of Age and Older The most common adverse reactions, reported in at least 2 CREON-treated patients (greater than or equal to 4%) and at a higher rate than in placebo-treated patients in Studies 1 and 2, are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions* in Clinical Trials of Adult and Pediatric Patients 7 Years of Age and Older with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency due to Cystic Fibrosis (Studies 1 and 2) Adverse Reaction CREON N = 49 n (%) Placebo N = 47 n (%) Vomiting 3 (6%) 1 (2%) Dizziness 2 (4%) 1 (2%) Cough 2 (4%) 0 (0%) * Reported in at least 2 CREON-treated patients (greater than or equal to 4%) and at a higher rate than placebo-treated patients. In Study 1, one patient experienced duodenitis and gastritis of moderate severity 16 days after completing treatment with CREON. Transient neutropenia without clinical sequelae was observed as an abnormal laboratory finding in one patient receiving CREON and a macrolide antibiotic. Pediatric Patients 4 Months to 6 Years of Age Adverse reactions reported in 18 CREON-treated pediatric patients aged 4 months to 6 years in Study 3 were vomiting, irritability, and decreased appetite, each occurring in 6% of patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due to Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy in Adults Adverse reactions reported in at least 1 adult CREON-treated patient (greater than or equal to 4%) and at a higher rate than in placebo-treated patients in Study 4 is shown in Table 2. Table 2: Adverse Reactions* in a Clinical Trial of Adult Patients with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due to Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy (Study 4) Adverse Reaction CREON N = 25 n (%) Placebo N = 29 n (%) Hyperglycemia 2 (8%) 2 (7%) Hypoglycemia 1 (4%) 1 (3%) Abdominal Pain 1 (4%) 1 (3%) Abnormal Feces 1 (4%) 0 (0%) Flatulence 1 (4%) 0 (0%) Frequent Bowel Movements 1 (4%) 0 (0%) Nasopharyngitis 1 (4%) 0 (0%) * Reported in at least 1 CREON-treated patient (greater than or equal to 4%) and at a higher rate than placebo-treated patients. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of CREON or other pancreatic enzyme products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Eye Disorders blurred vision Gastrointestinal D isorders fibrosing colonopathy and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, and nausea Immune System Disorders anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus Investigations asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes Musculoskeletal System myalgia, muscle spasm Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders urticaria and rash
Mechanism of action
12.1. Mechanism of Action Pancreatic enzyme products contain a mixture of lipases, proteases, and amylases that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats to monoglycerides, glycerol and free fatty acids, proteins into peptides and amino acids, and starches into dextrins and short chain sugars such as maltose and maltriose in the duodenum and proximal small intestine, thereby acting like digestive enzymes physiologically secreted by the pancreas.
NDC examples
0032-00450032-12030032-120659767-00459767-00859767-01673562-10473562-208
Indicated ICD-10 codes
Source: openFDA + RxNorm · 2026
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