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VIOKACE
(pancrelipase) Tablets, for Oral Use
VIOKACE is a pancreatic enzyme preparation for oral administration consisting of pancrelipase, an extract derived from porcine pancreatic glands. Pancrelipase contains multiple enzyme classes, including porcine-derived lipases, amylases, and proteases.
Pancrelipase is a beige-white amorphous powder. It is miscible in water and practically insoluble in alcohol.
The active ingredient evaluated in clinical trials is lipase. VIOKACE is dosed by lipase units.
Other active ingredients include protease and amylase.
Inactive ingredients in VIOKACE include: colloidal silicon dioxide, crosscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid and talc.
10,440 USP units of lipase; 39,150 USP units of protease; 39,150 USP units of amylase tablets are tan, round biconvex and have VIO9111 engraved on one side and 9111 on the other side.
20,880 USP units of lipase; 78,300 USP units of protease; 78,300 USP units of amylase tablets are tan, oval, biconvex with V16 engraved on one side and 9116 on the other side.
VIOKACE (pancrelipase) tablets, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, is indicated in adults for the treatment of exocrine paencratic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy.
VIOKACE is not interchangeable with any other pancrelipase product. VIOKACE is orally administered. Therapy should be initiated at the lowest recommended dose and gradually increased. The dosage of VIOKACE should be individualized based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet as described in the Limitations on Dosing below [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Since VIOKACE is not enteric-coated, it should be taken in combination with a proton pump inhibitor [see INDICATIONS].
VIOKACE should be taken during meals or snacks, with sufficient fluid. Tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew tablets. Care should be taken to ensure that no drug is retained in the mouth to avoid mucosal irritation.
Dosage recommendations for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy were published following the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences.1,2,3 VIOKACE should be administered in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the Conferences provided in the following paragraph. Only the adult dosing guidelines are shown below. Patients may be dosed on a fat ingestion-based or actual body weight-based dosing scheme.
Additional recommendations for pancreatic enzyme therapy in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy are based on a clinical trial conducted in these populations.
Enzyme dosing should begin with 500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal to a maximum of 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or less than or equal to 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day), or less than 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested per day.
Usually, half of the prescribed VIOKACE dose for an individualized full meal should be given with each snack. The total daily dosage should reflect approximately three meals plus two or three snacks per day.
In one clinical trial, patients received VIOKACE at a dose of 125,280 lipase units per meal while consuming 100 g of fat per day [see Clinical Studies]. Lower starting doses recommended in the literature are consistent with the 500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal 1, 2, 3, 4 lowest starting dose recommended for adults in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences Guidelines. The initial starting dose and increases in the dose per meal should be individualized based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet.
Dosing should not exceed the recommended maximum dosage set forth by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences Guidelines.1,2,3 If symptoms and signs of steatorrhea persist, the dosage may be increased by the healthcare professional. Patients should be instructed not to increase the dosage on their own. There is great inter-individual variation in response to enzymes; thus, a range of doses is recommended. Changes in dosage may require an adjustment period of several days. If doses are to exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal, further investigation is warranted. Doses greater than 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or greater than 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day) should be used with caution and only if they are documented to be effective by 3-day fecal fat measures that indicate a significantly improved coefficient of fat absorption. Doses greater than 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal have been associated with colonic stricture, indicative of fibrosing colonopathy, in children less than 12 years of age [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Patients currently receiving higher doses than 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal should be examined and the dosage either immediately decreased or titrated downward to a lower range.
The active ingredient in VIOKACE evaluated in clinical trials is lipase. VIOKACE is dosed in lipase units.
Other active ingredients include protease and amylase. Each VIOKACE tablet strength contains the specified amounts of lipase, protease, and amylase as follows:
10,440 USP units of lipase; 39,150 USP units of protease; 39,150 USP units of amylase
Each VIOKACE tablet is available as a tan, round, biconvex tablet with VIO9111 engraved on one side and 9111 on the other side supplied in bottles of 100 tablets (NDC 58914-112-10).
20,880 USP units of lipase; 78,300 USP units of protease; 78,300 USP units of amylase
Each VIOKACE tablet is available as a tan, oval, biconvex tablet with V16 engraved on one side and 9116 on the other side supplied in bottles of 100 tablets (NDC 58914-117-10).
Avoid heat. VIOKACE tablets should be stored in a dry place in the original container. Store at room temperature (20-25°C, 68-77°F), brief excursion permitted up to 40°C (104°F) for up to 24 hrs. After opening, keep the container tightly closed between uses to protect from moisture.
VIOKACE is dispensed in bottles containing a desiccant. The desiccant packet should not be eaten. The desiccant packet will protect the product from moisture.
REFERENCES
1. Borowitz DS, Grand RJ, Durie PR, et al. Use of pancreatic enzyme supplements for patients with cystic fibrosis in the context of fibrosing colonopathy. Journal of Pediatrics. 1995; 127: 681-684.
2. Borowitz DS, Baker RD, Stallings V. Consensus report on nutrition for pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology Nutrition. 2002 Sep; 35: 246-259.
3. Stallings VA, Start LJ, Robinson KA, et al. Evidence-based practice recommendations for nutrition-related management of children and adults with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency: results of a systematic review. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2008; 108: 832-839.
4. Dominguez-Munoz JE, Pancreatic enzyme therapy for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2007; 9: 116-122. 5Smyth RL, Ashby D, O'Hea U, et al. Fibrosing colonopathy in cystic fibrosis: results of a case-control study. Lancet. 1995; 346: 12471251.
Marketed by: Aptalis Pharma US, Inc., 22 Inverness Center Parkway Birmingham, AL 35242 USA. Manufactured by: Confab Laboratories, Inc. St. Hubert, Canada. Revised: March 2012
The most serious adverse reactions reported with different pancreatic enzyme products of the same active ingredient (pancrelipase) that are described elsewhere in the label include fibrosing colonopathy, hyperuricemia and allergic reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
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 short-term safety of VIOKACE was assessed in a single, multicenter, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 50 patients, ages 24-70 years, with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy. VIOKACE Tablets (20,880 USP units of lipase per tablet) or placebo were administered as 22 tablets per day (6 tablets with 3 meals and 2 tablets with 2 of 3 snacks). Duration of exposure ranged from 6 to 7 days. The majority of the subjects were Caucasian (96%) and male (82%).
The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 7%) were biliary tract stones and anal pruritus. Table 1 enumerates adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1 patient (greater than or equal to 3%) treated with VIOKACE at a higher rate than with placebo. Two adverse reactions reported in greater than one patient were biliary tract stones and anal pruritus.
TABLE 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring in at Least 1 Patient (greater than or equal to 3%) in Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy
| Treatment Group | ||
| MedDRA Primary System Organ Class/Adverse Reactions | VIOKACE (N=30) |
Placebo (N=20) |
| Blood And Lymphatic System Disorders | ||
| Anemia | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||
| Anal pruritus | 2 ( 7%) | 0 |
| Abdominal pain | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Ascites | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Flatulence | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | ||
| Edema peripheral | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Hepatobiliary Disorders | ||
| Biliary tract stones | 2 ( 7%) | 0 |
| Hydrocholecystis | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Infections and Infestations | ||
| Viral infection | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||
| Headache | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Renal and Urinary Disorders | ||
| Renal cyst | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
| Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | ||
| Rash | 1 ( 3%) | 0 |
Post-marketing data for VIOKACE have been available since 2003. The safety data are similar to that described below. 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.
Pancreatic enzyme products (delayed and immediate-release) with different formulations of the same active ingredient (pancrelipase) have been used for the treatment of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis and other conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis. The long-term safety profile of these products has been described in the medical literature. The most serious adverse events included fibrosing colonopathy, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), recurrence of pre-existing carcinoma, and severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation and nausea, and skin disorders including pruritus, urticaria and rash.
No drug interactions have been identified. No formal interaction studies have been conducted.
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Fibrosing colonopathy has been reported following treatment with different pancreatic enzyme products.5,6 Fibrosing colonopathy is a rare, serious adverse reaction initially described in association with high-dose pancreatic enzyme use, usually over a prolonged period of time and most commonly reported in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. The underlying mechanism of fibrosing colonopathy remains unknown. Doses of pancreatic enzyme products exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal have been associated with colonic stricture in children less than 12 years of age.1 Patients with fibrosing colonopathy should be closely monitored because some patients may be at risk of progressing to stricture formation. It is uncertain whether regression of fibrosing colonopathy occurs.1 It is generally recommended, unless clinically indicated, that enzyme doses should be less than 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or less than 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day) or less than 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested per day [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Doses greater than 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or greater than 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day) should be used with caution and only if they are documented to be effective by 3-day fecal fat measures that indicate a significantly improved coefficient of fat absorption. Patients receiving higher doses than 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal should be examined and the dosage either immediately decreased or titrated downward to a lower range.
Care should be taken to ensure that no drug is retained in the mouth to avoid irritation of oral mucosa, and/or loss of enzyme activity. VIOKACE should not be crushed or chewed [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and PATIENT INFORMATION].
Caution should be exercised when prescribing VIOKACE to patients with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia. Porcine-derived pancreatic enzyme products contain purines that may increase blood uric acid levels.
VIOKACE is sourced from pancreatic tissue from pigs used for food consumption. Although the risk that VIOKACE 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.
Caution should be exercised when administering pancrelipase to a patient with a known allergy to proteins of porcine origin. Rarely, severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus, have been reported with other pancreatic enzyme products with different formulations of the same active ingredient (pancrelipase). The risks and benefits of continued VIOKACE treatment in patients with severe allergy should be taken into consideration with the overall clinical needs of the patient.
VIOKACE tablets contain lactose monohydrate. Patients who have lactose intolerance may not be able to tolerate VIOKACE.
"See FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide)"
Advise patients and caregivers to follow dosing instructions carefully, as doses of pancreatic enzyme products exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal have been associated with colonic strictures in children below the age of 12 years [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients and caregivers to contact their healthcare professional immediately if allergic reactions to VIOKACE develop [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Carcinogenicity, genetic toxicology, and animal fertility studies have not been performed with pancrelipase.
Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with pancrelipase. It is also not known whether pancrelipase can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. VIOKACE should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. The risk and benefit of pancrelipase should be considered in the context of the need to provide adequate nutritional support to a pregnant woman with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Adequate caloric intake during pregnancy is important for normal maternal weight gain and fetal growth. Reduced maternal weight gain and malnutrition can be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when VIOKACE is administered to a nursing woman. 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.
The safety and effectiveness of VIOKACE in pediatric patients have not been established. In general, delayed-release (enteric-coated) capsules should be used for pediatric patients. Due to greater degradation in the gastric environment, VIOKACE, a non-enteric-coated, pancreatic enzyme replacement product, may have decreased bioavailability and therefore may be less efficacious than enteric-coated formulations.7, 8 Thus, use of VIOKACE in pediatric patients may increase the risk of inadequate treatment of pancreatic insufficiency and result in suboptimal weight gain, malnutrition and/or need for larger doses of pancreatic enzyme replacement [See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS] The efficacy of VIOKACE was established in adult patients with concomitant proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The long-term safety of PPI use in pediatric patients has not been established.
Clinical studies of VIOKACE did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
REFERENCES
1. Borowitz DS, Grand RJ, Durie PR, et al. Use of pancreatic enzyme supplements for patients with cystic fibrosis in the context of fibrosing colonopathy. Journal of Pediatrics. 1995; 127: 681-684.
5. Smyth RL, Ashby D, O'Hea U, et al. Fibrosing colonopathy in cystic fibrosis: results of a case-control study. Lancet. 1995; 346: 12471251.
6. FitzSimmons SC, Burkhart GA, Borowitz DS, et al. High-dose pancreatic-enzyme supplements and fibrosing colonopathy in children with cystic fibrosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 1997; 336: 1283-1289.
7. Gow R, Francis P, Bradbear R, et al. Comparative study of varying regimens to improve steatorrhoea and creatorrhoea in cystic fibrosis: effectiveness of an enteric-coated preparation with and without antacids and cimetidine. Lancet. November 14, 1981: 1071-1074.
8. Ansaldi-Balocco N, Santini B, Sarchi C. Efficacy of pancreatic enzyme supplementation in children with cystic fibrosis: comparison of two preparations by random crossover study and a retrospective study of the same patients at two different ages. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1988;7 Suppl 1:S40-5.
There have been no reports of overdose in clinical trials or post-marketing surveillance with VIOKACE. Chronic high doses of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. High doses of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia, and should be used with caution in patients with a history of hyperuricemia, gout, or renal impairment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
None.
The pancreatic enzymes in VIOKACE 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.
Pancreatic enzymes are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in appreciable amounts.
The short-term safety and efficacy of VIOKACE were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study comparing VIOKACE Tablets (20,880 USP units of lipase per tablet) to placebo in 50 patients, ages 24 to 70, with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to chronic pancreatitis (CP) or pancreatectomy. Eighteen patients had a history of pancreatectomy (11 were treated with VIOKACE). All patients were maintained on a controlled high fat diet of 100 grams of fat per day. After a wash-out period (6 to 7 days), patients were randomized to a fixed dose of VIOKACE (22 tablets per day; 6 tablets per meal and 2 tablets with 2 of 3 snacks) or placebo, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor. Forty-nine patients completed the double-blind treatment period (6 to 7 days); 29 patients received VIOKACE, and 20 patients received placebo.
The coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) was determined by a 72-hour stool collection during both treatments, when both fat excretion and fat ingestion were measured.
The wash-out period mean CFA was 48% in the VIOKACE treatment group and was 57% in the placebo group. At the end of the double-blind treatment period, the mean CFA was 86% with VIOKACE treatment compared to 58% with placebo. The mean difference in CFA at the end of the double-blind treatment period was 28 percentage points in favor of VIOKACE treatment with 95% Confidence Interval of (21, 37) and p ≤ 0.0001.
Subgroup analyses of the CFA results showed that mean change in CFA with VIOKACE treatment (from the washout period to the end of the double-blind period) was greater in patients with lower wash-out period CFA values than in patients with higher wash-out period CFA values.
Only 2 of the patients with a history of total pancreatectomy were treated with VIOKACE. One of these patients had a CFA of 12% during the wash-out period and a CFA of 90% at the end of the double-blind period; the other patient had a CFA of 38% during the wash-out period and a CFA of 77% at the end of the double-blind period. The remaining 9 patients with a history of partial pancreatectomy treated with VIOKACE had a mean CFA of 56% during the wash-out period and a mean CFA of 86% at the end of the double-blind period.
MEDICATION GUIDE
VIOKACE™
(vye-oh-kase)
(pancrelipase) tablets
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking VIOKACE and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.
What is the most important information I should know about VIOKACE?
VIOKACE may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy. This condition is serious and may require surgery. The risk of having this condition may be reduced by following the dosing instructions that your doctor gave you.
Call your doctor right away if you have any unusual or severe:
Take VIOKACE exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less VIOKACE than directed by your doctor.
What is VIOKACE?
VIOKACE is a prescription medicine used with a proton pump inhibitor medicine (PPI) to treat adults who cannot digest food normally. Adults with swelling of the pancreas that lasts a long time (chronic pancreatitis), or who have had some or all of their pancreas removed (pancreatectomy) may not digest food normally because they do not make enough enzymes or because their enzymes are not released into the bowel (intestine).
VIOKACE contains a mixture of digestive enzymes (including lipases, proteases, and amylases) from pig pancreas.
It is not known if VIOKACE is safe and effective in children. Use of VIOKACE in children may result in poor nutrition and slowing of growth.
What should I tell my doctor before taking VIOKACE?
Before taking VIOKACE, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take VIOKACE?
What are the possible side effects of VIOKACE?
VIOKACE may cause serious side effects, including:
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
The most common side effects of VIOKACE include:
Other possible side effects:
VIOKACE and other pancreatic enzyme products are made from the pancreas of pigs, the same pigs people eat as pork. These pigs may carry viruses. Although it has never been reported, it may be possible for a person to get a viral infection from taking pancreatic enzyme products that come from pigs.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the side effects of VIOKACE. For more information ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report side effects to Aptalis Pharma US, Inc. at 1-800-472-2634.
How should I store VIOKACE?
Keep VIOKACE and all medicines out of reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of VIOKACE
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use VIOKACE for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VIOKACE to other people to take, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about VIOKACE. If you would like more information, talk to your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about VIOKACE that is written for healthcare providers.
For more information, go to www.aptalispharma.com or call toll-free 1-800-472-2634.
What are the ingredients in VIOKACE?
Active ingredient: lipase, protease and amylase
Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crosscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid and talc.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Issued March 2012
