Pancrelipase (Systemic)

Brand Names : Pancrease, Pancrease MT 4, Pancrease MT 10, Pancrease MT 16, Pancrease MT 20, Panokase, Protilase, Ultrase MT 12, Ultrase MT 20, Viokase, Zymase, Cotazym-65 B, Cotazym E.C.S. 8, Cotazym E.C.S. 20, lipancreatin, Cotazym, Cotazym-S, Creon 5, Creon 10, Creon 20, Enzymase-16, Ilozyme, Ku-Zyme HP, Pancoate

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine before or with meals and snacks, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

When prescribing this medicine for your condition, your doctor may also prescribe a personal diet for you. Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gave you . This is most important and necessary for the medicine to work properly and to avoid indigestion. It is important to drink plenty of water while you are on this medicine.

For patients taking the tablet form of this medicine:

• Swallow the tablets quickly with some liquid, without chewing , to avoid mouth irritation.

For patients taking the capsules containing the enteric-coated spheres :

• Swallow the capsule whole.
• Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.
• When given to children, the capsule may be opened and sprinkled on a small amount of liquid or soft food that can be swallowed without chewing, such as applesauce or gelatin. However, it should not be mixed with alkaline foods, such as milk and ice cream, which may reduce its effect.

Dosing - The dose of pancrelipase will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of pancrelipase. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• To help digestion:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Older adults, adults, and teenagers - One to three capsules before or with meals and snacks. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
    • Children - The contents of one to three capsules sprinkled on food at each meal. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
  • For oral dosage form (delayed-release capsules):
    • Older adults, adults, and teenagers - One to four capsules before or with meals and snacks. Your doctor will decide what your dose should be at first. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
    • Children over 6 years old - The contents of one to four capsules with meals. Your doctor will decide what dose to start with. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. You should take the contents of the capsules with a liquid or a small amount of a soft food that you do not have to chew. You should eat the food with the medicine in it right away and follow that with a glass of water or juice.
    • Children under 6 years old - The contents of one to two capsules with meals. Your doctor will decide what dose to start with. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. You should take the contents of the capsules with a liquid or a small amount of a soft food that you do not have to chew. You should eat the food with the medicine in it right away and follow that with a glass of water or juice.
  • For oral dosage form (powder):
    • Older adults, adults, and teenagers - 1/4 teaspoonful (0.7 gram) with meals and snacks. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
    • Children - 1/4 teaspoonful with meals. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • Older adults, adults, and teenagers - One to three tablets before or with meals and snacks. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
    • Children - One to two tablets with meals.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule, powder, or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.