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Pronunciation: PAN-kree-LYE-pase
Generic Name: Pancrelipase
Brand Name: Viokase
Viokase is used for:
Improving food digestion in patients who cannot digest food properly because they have a pancreas problem (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) caused by cystic fibrosis or certain other conditions.
Viokase is a digestive enzyme combination. It works by helping the body to digest protein, starch, and fat.
Do NOT use Viokase if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Viokase, including pork proteins
you have inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or a flare-up of long-term pancreas problems
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Viokase:
Some medical conditions may interact with Viokase. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (including trypsin, pancreatin, or pancrelipase)
if you have gout, high uric acid levels, or a history of kidney problems
if you have a history of pancreas problems, stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage, short bowel syndrome, Crohn disease), or asthma
if you have trouble swallowing tablets
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Viokase. However, no specific interactions with Viokase are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Viokase may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Viokase:
Use Viokase as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Viokase by mouth with each meal or a snack as directed by your doctor.
Swallow Viokase whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or hold Viokase in your mouth before swallowing. Doing so may increase the risk of mouth irritation from Viokase.
Take Viokase with a full glass of water or other fluid.
Do not breathe in any powder from this tablet. It may cause irritation of the nose or throat.
Do not change brands or dosage forms of Viokase without first checking with your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Viokase, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once or take a dose without a snack or a meal.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Viokase.
Important safety information:
Viokase may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Viokase with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
Viokase may increase the risk of developing a rare, serious condition called fibrosing colonopathy. When this occurs, it is usually with high doses over a long period of time. It has been most commonly reported in children with cystic fibrosis. Contact your doctor right away if you experience unusual or severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain, or severe or persistent loose stools, constipation, or diarrhea.
Viokase comes from pork (pig) pancreas tissue. There is an extremely rare risk of developing a viral disease from this product. No cases of viral disease from pork pancreas products have been identified.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Viokase can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Viokase while you are pregnant. It is not known if Viokase is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Viokase, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Viokase:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; gas; headache; stomach pain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); painful, swollen joints; severe or persistent loose stools, diarrhea, or constipation; severe or unusual nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Viokase side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Viokase:
Store Viokase at room temperature, up to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store in the original container away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Viokase out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Viokase, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Viokase is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Viokase. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
More Viokase resources
Viokase Side Effects (in more detail)
Viokase Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Viokase Drug Interactions
Viokase Support Group
0 Reviews for Viokase - Add your own review/rating
Viokase Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
Pancrelipase Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Pancrelipase Prescribing Information (FDA)
Pancrelipase Monograph (AHFS DI)
Creon Consumer Overview
Creon Prescribing Information (FDA)
Pancreaze Consumer Overview
Pancreaze Prescribing Information (FDA)
Zenpep Prescribing Information (FDA)
Zenpep Consumer Overview
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