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PANCREAZE

Generic: PANCRELIPASE LIPASE, PANCRELIPASE AMYLASE, and PANCRELIPASE PROTEASE

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
VIVUS
NDC
62541-401
RxCUI
1806919
Route
ORAL
ICD-10 indication
K86.81

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About PANCREAZE

What is this medication? PANCREAZE is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes. This condition is known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI. It is commonly prescribed for individuals with cystic fibrosis, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, or those who have had their pancreas removed. The medication contains a mixture of digestive enzymes, including lipases, proteases, and amylases, which are sourced from pig pancreas glands.

The primary goal of taking this medication is to help the body break down and absorb nutrients from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. By replacing the missing enzymes, it helps reduce symptoms such as gas, bloating, fatty stools, and weight loss. Patients typically take the capsules with every meal and snack to ensure proper digestion. It is important to swallow the capsules whole or sprinkle the contents on soft food as directed by a healthcare provider to ensure the medication works effectively.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: As little as $0
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: $3,500 (with a limit of up to $2,000 per prescription fill)
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Must have commercial insurance and a valid prescription. Patients are ineligible if they are covered by any state or federal healthcare program, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, DOD, or TRICARE. Offer is valid only in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for PANCREAZE. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Jun 6, 2025

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE PANCREAZE is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult and pediatric patients. PANCREAZE ® is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult and pediatric patients. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Dosing Information ( 2.1 ) PANCREAZE 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 PANCREAZE. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to PANCREAZE, 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 and older. 1,000 lipase units/kg/meal for pediatric patients greater than 12 months to less than 4 years. Titrate the dosage to either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or less than 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 2,600 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). Do not crush or chew PANCREAZE capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids to ensure complete swallowing of PANCREAZE. ( 5.2 ) See the full prescribing information for additional information on administering to pediatric patients birth to 12 months. 2.1 Important Dosing Information PANCREAZE is a mixture of enzymes including lipases, proteases, and amylases. PANCREAZE 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 PANCREAZE dose for a meal. Do not substitute other pancreatic enzyme products for PANCREAZE. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to PANCREAZE, 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 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 by fecal fat measures or an improvement in signs and symptoms of malabsorption including measures of nutritional status. Pediatric Patients Birth to 12 Months of Age The recommended oral dosage is 2,600 lipase units per 120 mL of formula or per breast-feeding. 2.3 Preparation and Administration Instructions Instruct adult and pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age, or their caregivers, of the following: Take PANCREAZE with meals or snacks. If a dose is missed, take the next dose with the next meal or snack. Swallow capsules whole. For patients who are unable to swallow intact capsules, carefully open the capsules and sprinkle the entire contents on a small amount of acidic soft food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., applesauce). Consume the entire mixture immediately. Do not crush or chew PANCREAZE capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids (water or juice) to ensure complete swallowing of PANCREAZE capsules [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Instruct caregivers of pediatric patients birth to 12 months of age of the following: Immediately prior to each breast-feeding session or each administration of 120 mL of formula, carefully open one PANCREAZE capsule (containing 2,600 USP units of lipase) and administer the entire contents using one of the following two methods: Sprinkle on a small amount of acidic soft food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., applesauce) being careful not to crush the capsule contents. The entire mixture should be given to the infant immediately. Sprinkle the capsule contents directly into the infant's mouth. Immediately administer additional breast milk or formula after PANCREAZE to ensure complete swallowing of the capsule contents. Do not mix PANCREAZE capsule contents directly into a bottle of breast milk or formula. Do not crush PANCREAZE capsule contents, and visually inspect the infant's mouth to ensure that no drug is retained in the mouth [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . If a dose is missed, administer the next dose with the next feeding.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None.
Warnings and 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 , 5.3 ) 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 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 strictures, 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 PANCREAZE 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 and 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 PANCREAZE 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., applesauce). Do not crush or chew PANCREAZE capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk, or formula) immediately following administration of PANCREAZE 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 that 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 with gout, renal impairment, or hyperuricemia during treatment with PANCREAZE. 5.4 Risk of Viral Transmission PANCREAZE is sourced from pancreatic tissue from swine used for food consumption. Although the risk that PANCREAZE 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. 5.5 Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus have been reported with pancreatic enzyme products [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )] . 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 PANCREAZE. The risks and benefits of continued PANCREAZE treatment in patients with serious hypersensitivity reactions should be taken into consideration with the overall clinical needs of the patient.
Adverse reactions
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) ] The data described below reflect exposure to PANCREAZE in 57 adult and pediatric patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis in two clinical trials. Study 1 was conducted in 40 patients, aged 8 years to 57 years; Study 2 was conducted in 17 pediatric patients, aged 6 months to 30 months [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . The most common adverse reactions were gastrointestinal, including diarrhea and vomiting. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of PANCREAZE 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. Most common adverse reactions are gastrointestinal, including nausea and vomiting. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact VIVUS LLC at 1-888-998-4887 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch Eye Disorders blurred vision Gastrointestinal Disorders fibrosing colonopathy, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, and nausea Immune System Disorders anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus Investigations asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes Musculoskeletal System myalgia, muscle spasm Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders urticaria and rash
Use in pregnancy
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.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How PANCREAZE appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

1%

47 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 3

On 67% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

17%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 2 (generic)1
17%
Tier 3 (preferred brand)4
67%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)1
17%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 0% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 6 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

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How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.