Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take this medicine with food.

Swallow the capsule or tablet whole with enough fluid (eg, water or juice) to prevent irritation of the mouth. Do not crush or chew it.

For patients taking the tablets:

  • Viokace™ tablet is used in combination with certain medicines for stomach ulcer called proton pump inhibitors (eg, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, Nexium®, Prevacid®, Prilosec®).
  • Swallow the tablets quickly with some liquid, without chewing, to avoid mouth irritation.

For patients taking the delayed-release capsules:

  • Swallow the capsule whole.
  • Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing. Do not hold the capsule in your mouth.
  • When given to adults or children who can not swallow the capsule, the capsule may be opened and sprinkled onto a small amount (about 10 mL or less) of soft acidic food (eg, applesauce, bananas, or plain Greek yogurt). Mix the contents evenly. Do not crush the capsule contents while mixing. This mixture must be swallowed immediately and followed with a glass of water or juice. This will ensure complete swallowing of the contents of the capsule and avoid mouth irritation.
  • When given to infants, the contents of the capsule may be put directly into the infant's mouth or mixed with a small amount (about 10 mL or less) of soft acidic food (eg, applesauce, pureed bananas, or pears), followed by 4 ounces (120 mL) of formula or breastfeeding. Do not mix the contents of the capsule directly into a bottle of breast milk or formula. This could reduce the effect of the medicine.
  • Pertzye® capsules may also be given through a gastrostomy tube with a diameter of 14 French or larger.
    • Mix the contents of the capsule with soft food (eg, applesauce).
    • Remove the plunger and carefully spoon the mixture into the syringe. Replace the plunger partially back.
    • Connect the syringe into the tube feeding port and inject the medicine for 10 to 12 seconds.
    • Flush the tube with 10 mL of water to rinse all of the medicine into the stomach.
  • Throw away any unused portions of the mixture. Do not save for later use.

Do not change the brands or dosage forms of pancrelipase without first checking with your doctor. Different products may not work in the same way. If you refill your medicine and it looks different, check with your pharmacist.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For the treatment patients who cannot digest food normally:
    • For oral dosage form (Creon® and Zenpep® delayed-release capsules):
      • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—500 lipase units per kilograms (kg) per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children 12 months to younger than 4 years of age—1000 lipase units per kg per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children from birth to 12 months of age—3000 lipase units per 120 milliliters (mL) of formula or per breastfeeding.
    • For oral dosage form (Pancreaze® delayed-release capsules):
      • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—500 lipase units per kilograms (kg) per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children 12 months to younger than 4 years of age—1000 lipase units per kg per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children from birth to 12 months of age—2600 lipase units per 120 milliliters (mL) of formula or per breastfeeding.
    • For oral dosage form (Pertzye® delayed-release capsules):
      • Adults and children 4 years of age and older—500 lipase units per kilograms (kg) per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children 12 months to younger than 4 years of age—1000 lipase units per kg per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children from birth to 12 months of age—4000 lipase units per 120 milliliters (mL) of formula or per breastfeeding.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 500 lipase units per kilograms (kg) per meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

You may store repacked Zenpep® for up to 6 months.

Throw away unused Pertzye® mixture.

Do not eat or throw away the drying agent (desiccant) in your medicine bottle. The drying agent will protect your medicine from moisture.

Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

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