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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, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy in adults.
VIOKACE is a mixture of enzymes including lipases, proteases, and amylases. VIOKACE dosing is based on lipase units.
The recommended oral initial starting dosage of VIOKACE is 500 lipase units/kg/meal.
If signs and symptoms of malabsorption persist, increase the dosage. Titrate to a maximum of either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/grams of fat ingested/day.
Tablets are available in the following strengths:
VIOKACE (pancrelipase) tablets are supplied as follows:
| Strength | Description | Supplied As | NDC Number |
| 10,440 USP units of lipase; 39.150 USP units of protease; 39.150 USP units of amylase | tan, round, biconvex tablet with VIO9111 engraved on one side and 9111 on the other side | bottles of 100 | 73562-104-10 |
| 20,880 USP units of lipase; 78.300 USP units of protease; 78.300 USP units of amylase | tan, oval, biconvex tablet with V16 engraved on one side and 9116 on the other side | bottles of 100 | 73562-208-10 |
Manufactured by: Viokace, LLC 1007 US Highway 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, USA US License No. 2196. Manufactured for: Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. Bridgewater, NJ 08807, USA. Revised: Feb 2024
The following serious or otherwise important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
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 data described below reflect exposure to VIOKACE in 30 adult patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy in a single, multicenter, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind study [see Clinical Studies].
Adverse reactions that were reported in at least 2 VIOKACE-treated patients (greater than or equal to 7%) are shown in Table 1. There were no adverse reactions reported in two or more patients in the placebo group (N=20).
Table 1: Adverse Reactions* in a Clinical Trial of Adult Patients with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency due to Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy
| Adverse Reaction | VIOKACE N = 30 (%) |
| Anal pruritus | 2 (7%) |
| Biliary tract stones | 2 (7%) |
| * Reported in at least 2 VIOKACE-treated patients (greater than or equal to 7%) and at a higher rate than placebo-treated patients. | |
The following adverse reactions were reported in one VIOKACE-treated patient each: anemia, abdominal pain, ascites, flatulence, headache, hydocholecystis, peripheral edema, rash, renal cyst, and viral infection.
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of VIOKACE 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.
No Information provided
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
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 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 VIOKACE 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 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 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].
Crushing or chewing VIOKACE tablets can result in irritation of the oral mucosa, and/or loss of enzyme activity. Instruct the patient to swallow tablets whole. Do not crush or chew VIOKACE tablets. Consume sufficient liquids immediately following administration of VIOKACE to ensure complete swallowing [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Pancreatic enzyme products contain purines that may increase blood uric acid levels. High dosages have been associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia [see OVERDOSAGE].
Consider monitoring blood uric acid levels in patients with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia during treatment with VIOKACE.
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.
Severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus have been reported with pancreatic enzyme products [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. If symptoms occur, initiate appropriate medical management.
Monitor patients with a known hypersensitivity reaction to proteins of porcine origin for hypersensitivity reactions during treatment with VIOKACE. The risks and benefits of continued VIOKACE treatment in patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions should be taken into consideration with the overall clinical needs of the patient.
VIOKACE tablets contain lactose monohydrate [see DESCRIPTION]. Patients who have lactose intolerance may not be able to tolerate VIOKACE.
Advise the patient or caregiver to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Advise patients that if signs and symptoms of colon stricture formation occur (e.g., stomach area (abdominal) pain, bloating, trouble passing stool (constipation), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) to immediately contact their healthcare provider [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise the patient that hyperuricemia may occur in patients with gout or renal impairment and to contact the healthcare provider if they experience pain, stiffness, redness or swelling of their joints [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Inform the patient that severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis asthma, hives, and pruritus, have been reported with use of pancreatic enzyme products. Seek medical attention if signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction develop [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise the patient to increase take VIOKACE as prescribed, and to contact the healthcare provider if signs and symptoms of malabsorption persist [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Instruct the patient to:
Instruct the patient or caregiver as follows:
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 estimated 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.
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. Pancrelipase is minimally absorbed systemically following oral administration, therefore maternal use is not expected to result in clinically relevant exposure of breastfed infants to the drug. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for VIOKACE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from VIOKACE or from the underlying maternal conditions.
The safety and effectiveness of VIOKACE in pediatric patients have not been established.
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 due to tablet degradation in the gastric environment of the stomach.
High dosages of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Clinical studies of VIOKACE did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between patients aged 65 years and over and younger adult patients.
Chronic high dosages of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. High dosages of pancreatic enzyme products have been associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
None.
Pancreatic enzyme products contain a mixture of lipases, proteases, and amylases that 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.
For patients consuming a high fat diet in the clinical trial, the coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) was higher in patients who received VIOKACE compared to the placebo treatment group, indicating improved fat absorption [see Clinical Studies].
Following oral administration, the lipases, proteases, and amylases released from VIOKACE are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in appreciable amounts.
The lipases, proteases, and amylases of VIOKACE are not substrates of CYP enzymes or transporters. CYP enzymes or transporters mediated drug interactions are not expected.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in 50 adult patients, aged 24 to 70 years, with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis 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 washout period (6 to 7 days), patients were randomized to a fixed dose of VIOKACE or placebo, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor: 125,280 lipase units per meal (3 meals) and 41,760 lipase units per snack (2 snacks) (6 tablets per meal and 2 tablets per snacks). Forty-nine patients completed the double-blind treatment period (6 to 7 days); 29 patients received VIOKACE, and 20 patients received placebo. Duration of exposure to VIOKACE ranged from 6 to 7 days. The majority of the subjects were White (96%) and male (82%).
The coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) was determined by a 72-hour stool collection during both the washout period and end of double-blind period when both fat excretion and fat ingestion were measured. The mean change in CFA at the end of the double-blind treatment period in the VIOKACE and placebo groups is shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Change in Coefficient of Fat Absorption in Adults with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due to Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatectomy - Intent to Treat Population
| VIOKACE n = 30 |
Placebo n = 20 |
|
| CFA [%] | ||
| Washout Period (Mean, SD) | 48 (24) | 57 (22) |
| End of Double-Blind Period (Mean, SD) | 86 (9) | 58 (24) |
| Change in CFA * [%] | ||
| Treatment Difference (95% CI) | 28 (18, 37) | |
| *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.
VIOKACE ®
(vye-oh-kase)
(pancrelipase) tablets, for oral use
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 especially if taken at a high dose for a long time in children with cystic fibrosis. 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 VIOKACE than directed by your doctor.
What is 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 over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and 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:
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 possible side effects of VIOKACE.
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 Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc at 1-833-AIM2KNO (1-833-246-2566)
How should I store VIOKACE?
Keep VIOKACE and all medicines out of the 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.
You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about VIOKACE that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in VIOKACE?
Active ingredients: 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.
