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- Habit forming
- No
- Availability
- Prescription (Rx)
Brand names
CreonPanaKarePancrePlusPancreazePertzyeViokaceZenpep
Available as
15000 UNT · Oral Capsule78300 UNT · Oral Tablet39150 UNT · Oral Tablet60500 UNT · Oral Capsule30250 UNT · Oral Capsule180000 UNT · Oral Capsule64000 UNT · Oral Tablet164 UNT/MG · Powder15125 UNT · Oral Capsule450 UNT · Oral Capsule105000 UNT · Oral Capsule14000 UNT · Oral Capsule24000 UNT · Oral Capsule42000 UNT · Oral Capsule63000 UNT · Oral Capsule84000 UNT · Oral Capsule61500 UNT · Oral Capsule98400 UNT · Oral Capsule83900 UNT · Oral Capsule24600 UNT · Oral Capsule90750 UNT · Oral Capsule168000 UNT · Oral Capsule20000 UNT · Oral Capsule112500 UNT · Oral Capsule
FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZENPEP ® is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult and pediatric patients. ZENPEP ® is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult and pediatric patients. ( 1 )
How it works
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, protein into peptides and amino acids, and starch 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.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Dosing Information ( 2.1 ) ZENPEP 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 ZENPEP. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to ZENPEP, monitor patients for clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and titrate the dosage as needed. Recommended Dosage ( 2.2 ) Adult 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 of age to less than 4 years of age. Titrate 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 effective by fecal fat measures or improvement in malabsorption. Pediatric Patients Birth to 12 Months: The recommended dosage is 3,000 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, bananas, pears). Do not crush or chew ZENPEP capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids to ensure complete swallowing of ZENPEP. ( 5.2 ) See the full prescribing information for additional information on administering to pediatric patients birth to 12 months. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Important Dosing Information ZENPEP is a mixture of enzymes including lipases, proteases, and amylases. ZENPEP 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 ZENPEP dose for a meal. Do not substitute other pancreatic enzyme products for ZENPEP. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to ZENPEP, monitor patients for clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and titrate the dosage as needed. 2.2 Recommended Dosage Adult 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 of age 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 less than 4,000 lipase units/grams of fat ingested/day. Higher dosages may be administered if they are documented to be effective b
Side effects
6 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 reactions (≥6%) are: headache, contusion, cough, and early satiety. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc at 1-833-AIM2KNO (1-833-246-2566) 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 clinical practice. The data described below reflect exposure to ZENPEP in 53 adult and pediatric patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis in two clinical trials conducted [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . In both trials, ZENPEP was administered at dosages of approximately 5,000 lipase units/kg/day for 19 to 42 days. Study 1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 34 adult and pediatric patients, aged 7 to 23 years. Adverse reactions that were reported in at least 2 ZENPEP-treated patients (greater than or equal to 6%) and at a higher rate than in placebo-treated patients in Study 1 are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in at least 2 ZENPEP-treated patients (greater than or equal to 6%) and at a higher rate than placebo-treated patients. in a Clinical Trial of Adult and Pediatric Patients 7 Years of Age and Older with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency due to Cystic Fibrosis (Study 1) Adverse Reaction ZENPEP N=34 n (%) Placebo N=32 n (%) Headache 5 (15%) 0 Contusion 2 (6%) 0 Cough 2 (6%) 0 Early Satiety 2 (6%) 0 Study 2 was an open-label, uncontrolled study of ZENPEP in 19 pediatric patients aged 1 to 6 years. The most commonly reported adverse reactions were gastrointestinal, including abdominal pain and steatorrhea. The type and incidence of adverse reactions in Studies 1 and 2 were similar between pediatric patients and adults. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ZENPEP 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 Disorders fibrosing colonopathy and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, and nausea Immune System Disorders anaphylaxis, asthma, hives and pruritis Investigations asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes Musculoskeletal System myalgia, muscle spasm Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders urticaria and rash
Safety advice
Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.
PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Published data from case reports with pancrelipase use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Pancrelipase is minimally absorbed systematically; therefore, maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with pancrelipase. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of pancrelipase in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…consider monitoring blood uric acid levels in patients with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia.…
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 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. ( 2.3 , 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 ZENPEP 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 or 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 ZENPEP 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., commercially available preparations of applesauce, bananas or pears). Do not crush or chew ZENPEP capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk, or formula) immediately following administration of ZENPEP 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 w
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )
Pediatric use
8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ZENPEP for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency have been established in pediatric patients. Use of ZENPEP for this indication is supported by an adequate and well-controlled trial in adult and pediatric patients 7 to 17 years of age (Study 1) along with supportive data from an open-label, single arm study in 19 pediatric patients 1 to 6 years of age (Study 2). Both study populations consisted of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis. The safety in pediatric patients in Studies 1 and 2 were similar to that observed in adult patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14) ]. Dosages exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal have been reported postmarketing to be associated with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age. If there is a history of fibrosing colonopathy, monitor patients during treatment with ZENPEP because some patients may be at risk of progressing to stricture formation. 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 pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age without further investigation . [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Crushing or chewing ZENPEP 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: consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk, or formula) to ensure complete swallowing, and visually inspect the mouth of pediatric patients less than 12 months of age to ensure that no drug is retained in the mouth and irritation of the oral mucosa has not occurred [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .
⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE Chronic high dosages of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . High dosages of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)
- PANCREATIC ENZYME CONCENTRATE TABLET [COVETRUS NORTH AMERICA]
- PANCREATIC ENZYME CONCENTRATE POWDER [COVETRUS NORTH AMERICA]
- CREON 24000 (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE PELLETS CREON 3000 (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE PELLETS CREON 6000 (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE PELLETS CREON 12000 (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE PELLETS CREON 36000 (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE PELLETS [ABBOTT LABORATORIES GMBH]
- ZENPEP (PANCRELIPASE LIPASE, PANCRELIPASE PROTEASE, PANCRELIPASE AMYLASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE [AIMMUNE THERAPEUTICS, INC.]
- CREON (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE CREON (PANCRELIPASE) CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE PELLETS [ABBVIE INC.]
78 marketed products on record (RxNorm)
Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.