Pancrelipase Lipase, Pancrelipase Amylase, and Pancrelipase Protease

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 )

Delayed-release capsules are available in the following strengths: 2,600 USP units of lipase; 8,800 USP units of protease; and 15,200 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a light orange opaque body and clear cap, printed with "VIVUS" and "MT 2" 4,200 USP units of lipase; 14,200 USP units of protease; and 24,600 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a yellow opaque body and clear cap, printed with "VIVUS" and "MT 4" 10,500 USP units of lipase; 35,500 USP units of protease; and 61,500 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a flesh opaque body and clear cap, printed with "VIVUS" and "MT 10" 16,800 USP units of lipase; 56,800 USP units of protease; and 98,400 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a flesh opaque body and clear cap, printed with "VIVUS" and "MT 16" 21,000 USP units of lipase; 54,700 USP units of protease; and 83,900 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a white opaque body and cap, printed with "VIVUS" and "MT 20" 37,000 USP units of lipase; 97,300 USP units of protease; and 149,900 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with an iron grey opaque body and white opaque cap, printed with "VIVUS" and "MT 37" Delayed-release capsules ( 3 ): 2,600 USP units of lipase; 8,800 USP units of protease; and 15,200 USP units of amylase. 4,200 USP units of lipase; 14,200 USP units of protease; and 24,600 USP units of amylase 10,500 USP units of lipase; 35,500 USP units of protease; and 61,500 USP units of amylase 16,800 USP units of lipase; 56,800 USP units of protease; and 98,400 USP units of amylase 21,000 USP units of lipase; 54,700 USP units of protease; and 83,900 USP units of amylase 37,000 USP units of lipase; 97,300 USP units of protease; and 149,900 USP units of amylase

None. None.

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.

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

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.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary 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 PANCREAZE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from PANCREAZE or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of PANCREAZE for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency have been established in pediatric patients. Use of PANCREAZE for this indication is supported by an adequate and well-controlled trial in adult and pediatric patients 8 to 17 years of age (Study 1) along with supportive data from a randomized, investigator-blinded, dose-ranging study in 17 pediatric patients aged 6 to 30 months (Study 2). Both study populations consisted of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis. The safety in pediatric patients in these studies was similar to that observed in adult patients [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 ) and Clinical Studies (14) ] . Dosages exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal have been reported postmarketing to be associated with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age. If there is a history of fibrosing colonopathy, monitor patients during treatment with PANCREAZE because some patients may be at risk of progressing to stricture formation. 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 pediatric patients greater than 12 months of age without further investigation . [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . 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: consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk, or formula) to ensure complete swallowing, and visually inspect the mouth of pediatric patients less than 12 months of age to ensure no drug is retained in the mouth and irritation of the oral mucosa has not occurred [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of PANCREAZE 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.

Pancreatic enzyme products contain a mixture of lipases, proteases, and amylases that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats to monoglyceride, 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.