Zenpep

Pancreatic Enzymes

 
NOTE: Pancreatic insufficiency products are not clinically interchangeable and are not considered bioequivalent by the FDA. Patients stabilized on one product should remain on that product unless the prescriber orders a specific change.

Follow oral dosage with a glass of water or juice (or formula or breast milk for infants). Administer with meals and snacks or just prior to meals and snacks. Do not retain preparations in the mouth prior to swallowing because the enzyme may cause mucosal irritation and stomatitis.

Delayed-release capsules
Administer during meals or snacks with sufficient fluid.
Do not chew or crush; avoid destruction of enteric coating. The enteric coating will dissolve if in prolonged contact with foods having a pH greater than 5.5. If the enteric coating is destroyed, the enzymes present in pancrelipase may cause ulcerations.
For patients unable to swallow intact capsules, products containing enteric-coated spheres, microspheres, or microtablets may be opened and the contents sprinkled on a soft acidic food (pH of 4 or 4.5 or less depending on the specific product). Choose a food that does not require chewing (e.g., commercially available preparations of bananas, pears, and applesauce). The soft food mixture should be swallowed immediately and followed with water or juice to ensure complete ingestion.
Do not mix directly with infant formula or breast-milk; however, in infants, doses should be followed with a feeding of formula or breast milk.
 
Tablets
Administer during meals or snacks with sufficient fluid.
Should be swallowed whole. Do not chew or crush.
Tablets that are not enteric-coated should be taken with a proton pump inhibitor.

Administration via Gastrostomy Tube
Administration of pancrelipase products via a gastrostomy tube presents a complex challenge; the risk of clogging the feeding tube must be balanced with the risk of reducing enzyme effectiveness.
Consider the feeding tube size, feeding schedule (continuous or intermittent), pancrease product (specifically the size of the microspheres/granules), and other concurrent medications (i.e., medications that suppress gastric acid production) when determining the most appropriate method of administration for a specific patient.
 
Pertzye 4,000 USP lipase unit capsules (14 Fr gastrostomy tube or larger; no more than 2 capsules may be administered at a time)
Transfer at least 10 mL of applesauce into a small bowl or medicine cup.
Mix the capsule contents thoroughly with the transferred applesauce to create a uniform suspension. Do not crush the enzyme microspheres. Use immediately.
Remove the plunger from a 35 mL slip tip syringe. While covering the tip of the syringe with a 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 and carefully push the plunger slowly until the residual air is removed.
Connect the syringe directly into the gastrostomy tube feeding port and push the syringe contents using steady pressure until empty.
Flush the gastrostomy tube with approximately 10 mL of water. Discard any unused portion of the mixture.
If dose requires more than 2 capsules, repeat the above steps until the desired dose is achieved.
 
Delayed-release capsules
Two main methods of administration have been described: 1.) opening the capsules and mixing the contents with a thickened acidic liquid or thin food (e.g., baby food) and 2.) opening the capsule and dissolving the contents in sodium bicarbonate. These methods have different risks and advantages that must be considered on an individual patient basis.
Mixing with thickened liquid (risk: tube occlusion; benefit: maintaining integrity of enteric coating which may preserve efficacy)
Using a mildly thickened liquid as the vehicle is thought to reduce the risk of tube occlusion compared to using water or other thin liquid because a thin liquid allows the enteric-coated microspheres/beads to settle and clump together in the feeding tube.
Adequate flushing of the feeding tube before and after administration is critical. If direct contact occurs between the acidic fruit juice and enteral feedings inside the tube, an interaction can occur that may clog the feeding tube.
Some dietary experts have proposed the following technique, which can be used for tube sizes 10 Fr and above. However, if sizes 10 Fr or 12 Fr are in place, the use of low-dose enzyme capsules (3,000 to 5,000 units of lipase) are recommended because they contain the smallest sized microspheres/beads.
Prepare 50 to 100 mL of mildly thickened fruit juice using a thickening agent (e.g., Nectar Thick).
Open the pancrease capsule(s) into a small clean container.
Add sufficient mildly thickened liquid to completely coat the microspheres/beads and stir gently to evenly suspend them in the liquid.
If the patient is receiving continuous feedings, stop the tube feeds.
Flush the feeding tube with an appropriate amount of water.
Draw up the mixture with an enteral syringe of appropriate size for the volume and feeding tube size. Administer the mixture slowly through the feeding tube with slow, gentle pressure.
Flush the feeding tube with water, and resume feeds.
Mixing with baby food/applesauce (risk: tube occlusion; benefit: maintaining integrity of enteric coating which may preserve efficacy)
In an in vitro study, Creon capsules were opened and the contents sprinkled onto approximately 15 mL of baby food (applesauce or bananas with a pH less than 4.5) per capsule. The mixture was stirred gently and allowed to sit for 15 minutes. The mixture was then administered slowly through various gastrostomy tubes at a rate of about 15 mL per 10 to 15 seconds using a 35 mL syringe. The tube was then flushed with 10 to 30 mL of water.
Pancrelipase doses were successfully administered through the following G-tubes: Kimberly-Clark MIC Bolus size 18 Fr or larger, Kimberly-Clark MIC-KEY 16 Fr or larger, Bard Tri-Funnel 18 Fr or larger, and Bard Button 18 Fr or larger. The tubes that were sizes smaller than those indicated as having successful administration became clogged with at least one of the baby foods tested. Administration was successful if there was no clogging of the tube and no visible pellet damage.
Mixing with sodium bicarbonate solution (risk: reduced efficacy because enteric coat is removed; benefit: lower risk of tube occlusion)
When pancreatic enzyme products are administered into a feeding tube that is placed duodenally or jejunally, some experts recommend opening the capsules, crushing the enteric coated beads, and then mixing with sodium bicarbonate. For each 10,000 units of lipase, 10 mL of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate is recommended. Alternatively, the uncrushed bead/microspheres can be mixed with the sodium bicarbonate and allowed to dissolve (about 20 to 30 minutes). Administer the solution slowly through the feeding tube, and flush the tube with water before and after each dose.
Although there is debate about using this method of administration for feeding tubes placed in the stomach because of the risk for enzyme inactivation, some centers use this method to avoid feeding tube occlusion. Monitor efficacy carefully.

bronchospasm / Rapid / 0-1.0
anaphylactoid reactions / Rapid / 0-1.0
fibrosing colonopathy / Delayed / Incidence not known
GI obstruction / Delayed / Incidence not known
cholecystitis / Delayed / Incidence not known

lymphadenopathy / Delayed / 11.0-11.0
cholelithiasis / Delayed / 7.0-7.0
ascites / Delayed / 3.0-3.0
peripheral edema / Delayed / 3.0-3.0
anemia / Delayed / 3.0-3.0
hyperglycemia / Delayed / 2.0-2.0
hypoglycemia / Early / 2.0-2.0
constipation / Delayed / Incidence not known
stomatitis / Delayed / Incidence not known
oral ulceration / Delayed / Incidence not known
gastritis / Delayed / Incidence not known
esophagitis / Delayed / Incidence not known
elevated hepatic enzymes / Delayed / Incidence not known
blurred vision / Early / Incidence not known
hyperuricemia / Delayed / Incidence not known

abdominal pain / Early / 3.0-18.0
headache / Early / 3.0-15.0
nasal congestion / Early / 14.0-14.0
otalgia / Early / 11.0-11.0
infection / Delayed / 3.0-11.0
diarrhea / Early / 10.0-10.0
dyspepsia / Early / 10.0-10.0
cough / Delayed / 4.0-10.0
flatulence / Early / 3.0-9.0
pruritus ani / Early / 7.0-7.0
epistaxis / Delayed / 7.0-7.0
vomiting / Early / 6.0-6.0
dizziness / Early / 4.0-6.0
pharyngitis / Delayed / 4.0-4.0
pruritus / Rapid / 0-1.0
urticaria / Rapid / 0-1.0
maculopapular rash / Early / 0-1.0
rash / Early / 0-1.0
nausea / Early / Incidence not known
muscle cramps / Delayed / Incidence not known
myalgia / Early / Incidence not known
lactose intolerance / Early / Incidence not known

Creon, Pancreaze, Pertzye, Viokace 10, Viokace 20, Zenpep

Rx

Oral porcine-derived pancreatic enzyme replacement
Contains lipase, amylase, and protease that are capable of digesting fats, starches, and proteins, respectively; more potent than pancreatin
Available in several different dosage forms that are not therapeutically interchangeable

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day. Doses of 72,000 lipase units/meal have been studied in adults age 32 to 75 years with pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis; these patients were consuming at least 100 g of fat/day.

500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal, or alternately, 500 lipase units/g fat ingested/day, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. The FDA-approved dosage is 500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.  

500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal, or alternately, 500 lipase units/g fat ingested/day, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.  The FDA-approved dosage is 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/gram fat ingested/day.

3,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk.

3,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day.

500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal, or alternately, 500 lipase units/g fat ingested/day, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. The FDA-approved dosage is 500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal, or alternately, 500 lipase units/g fat ingested/day, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.  The FDA-approved dosage is 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/gram fat ingested/day.

2,600 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

2,600 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day.

500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal, or alternately, 500 lipase units/g fat ingested/day, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. The FDA-approved dosage is 500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

500 to 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal, or alternately, 500 lipase units/g fat ingested/day, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.  The FDA-approved dosage is 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/gram fat ingested/day.

4,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

4,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day. Doses of 125,280 lipase units/meal have been studied in adults age 24 to 70 years with pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy; these patients were consuming at least 100 g of fat/day. Due to lack of enteric coating, administer in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

1,000 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

3,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk.  

3,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk.  

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

1,000 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

2,600 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

2,600 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day. Older patients may require a decreased dosage expressed as lipase units/kg/meal, as they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat/kg/day.

500 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

1,000 lipase units/kg/meal PO, initially. Adjust dose based on clinical symptoms, steatorrhea, and fat content of diet. Generally, use one-half the mealtime dose with each snack. Max: 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal or 10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day.

4,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

4,000 lipase units PO per 120 mL of formula or breast milk. Do not mix directly in formula or breast milk.

1 Viokase tablet (strength not specified) and one 325-mg sodium bicarbonate tablet crushed and dissolved in 5 mL of warm water. If a clogged Dobbhoff feeding tube (8 Fr) was not able to be cleared using water, then the pancreatic enzyme/sodium bicarbonate solution was instilled into the clogged tube and clamped for 5 minutes. Then, a 50-mL syringe was attached to the feeding tube using an adapter, and the tube was gently flushed with tap water. This procedure was effective in 72% (23 of 32) of the cases, and the authors state that the clearance rate is even higher if the cause of the obstruction is clotted enteral formula and the pancreatic enzyme solution is applied close to clotted formula using a small catheter.

†Indicates off-label use

Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in hepatic impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.

Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in renal impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.

Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors: (Moderate) Digestive enzyme preparations containing carbohydrate-splitting enzymes may reduce the pharmacologic effect of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and should not be administered concurrently. Separating the timing of administration should limit an interaction, but is not usually feasible given the usual timing of administration around meals for both drugs.
Antacids: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Aspirin, ASA; Citric Acid; Sodium Bicarbonate: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Calcium Carbonate: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Calcium Carbonate; Famotidine; Magnesium Hydroxide: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide; Simethicone: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Calcium Carbonate; Simethicone: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Calcium; Vitamin D: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Omeprazole; Sodium Bicarbonate: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.
Sodium Bicarbonate: (Major) The effectiveness of gastrointestinal enzymes can be diminished with concurrent administration of antacids. In-vitro studies suggest that calcium and magnesum cations exert their deleterious effect on replacement enzyme therapy by formation of poorly soluble calcium or magnesium soaps and precipitation of glycine conjugated bile salts.

Creon/Lipase (Porcine), Amylase (Porcine), Protease (Porcine)/Pancrease/Pancreaze/Pertzye/Ultrase MT/Zenpep Oral Cap DR Pellets: 10000-42000-32000U, 10500-61500-35500U, 12000-39000-39000U, 12000-60000-38000U, 15000-63000-47000U, 15000-82000-51000U, 16000-60500-57500U, 16800-98400-56800U, 20000-84000-63000U, 21000-83900-54700U, 24000-120000-76000U, 24000-90750-86250U, 25000-105000-79000U, 2600-10850-6200U, 3000-14000-10000U, 3000-15000-9500U, 3000-16000-10000U, 36000-180000-114000U, 37000-149900-97300U, 4000-15125-14375U, 40000-168000-126000U, 4200-24600-14200U, 5000-24000-17000U, 6000-30000-19000U, 8000-30250-28750U
Viokace Oral Tab: 10440-39150-39150U, 20880-78300-78300U

Maximum dosage information is product-specific; individualize dosage. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends a maximum dose of 10,000 lipase units per kg per day PO or less than 4,000 lipase units per gram dietary fat per day.

Maximum dosage information is product-specific; individualize dosage. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends a maximum dose of 10,000 lipase units per kg per day PO or less than 4,000 lipase units per gram dietary fat per day.

10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/gram fat ingested/day. Dosages usually don't exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, but 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal has been recommended for chronic pancreatitis.

10,000 lipase units/kg/day or 4,000 lipase units/gram fat ingested/day. Dosages usually don't exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, but 3,000 lipase units/kg/meal has been recommended for chronic pancreatitis.

2,600 lipase units per 120 mL formula or per breast-feeding for Pancreaze; 3,000 lipase units per 120 mL formula or per breast-feeding for Creon and Zenpep; 4,000 lipase units per 120 mL formula or per breast-feeding for Pertzye; do not exceed 4,000 lipase units per gram of ingested fat per day or 10,000 lipase units/kg per day. Safety and efficacy not established for brands not listed.

Maximum dosage information is product-specific; 2,600 lipase units per 120 mL formula or per breast-feeding for Pancreaze; 3,000 lipase units per 120 mL formula or per breast-feeding for Creon and Zenpep; 4,000 lipase units per 120 mL formula or per breast-feeding for Pertzye; safety and efficacy not established for other brands.

Mechanism of Action: Following activation in the alkaline pH of the duodenum, pancrelipase releases high levels of lipase, amylase, and protease, which facilitate the hydrolysis of fats into glycerol and fatty acids, starches into dextrins and sugars, and proteins into peptides. Factors that influence the effectiveness of pancrelipase are those that affect the quantity of enzymatic activity reaching the small intestine, such as dose, gastrointestinal pH, and the microsphere size of the product.

Pancrelipase is administered orally; pancrelipase products are not interchangeable due to differences in pancreatic enzyme contents and release mechanisms. Pancrelipase is excreted in the feces.

Pancrelipase is not absorbed following oral administration but exerts its action locally in the GI tract. Enzymatic activity of pancrelipase formulations can show considerable individual variation dependent on gastric pH. Some pancrelipase preparations contain enteric-coated microspheres of pancreatic enzyme, which inhibit gastric inactivation during gastric passage and deliver more of the enzymes to the duodenum where they are active.

Published data from case reports with pancrelipase use in pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Pancrelipase has minimal systemic absorption, so maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with pancrelipase.[44673] [44719]

Use pancrelipase with caution during breast-feeding; patients should notify their healthcare professional if they are intending to breast-feed. The risk and benefit of pancrelipase should be considered in the context of the need to provide adequate nutritional support to a nursing mother with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic enzymes act locally in the gastrointestinal tract and are unlikely to be systemically absorbed; however, some of the constituent amino acids and proteins in the pancrelipase product may be absorbed systemically along with normal dietary proteins. It is not known if pancrelipase or these constituents is distributed into breast milk. If a breast-feeding infant experiences an adverse effect related to a maternally ingested drug, healthcare providers are encouraged to report the adverse effect to the FDA.