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Drugs A–Z

Pancrelipase Lipase, Pancrelipase Protease, Pancrelipase Amylase

Pancrelipase Lipase, Pancrelipase Protease, Pancrelipase Amylase is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Zenpep
Taken
Oral
Label
Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., revised November 14, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
No · details

What it is used for

ZENPEP ® is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult and pediatric patients. ZENPEP ® is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult and pediatric patients. ( 1 )

Forms and strengths

Delayed-release capsules are available in the following strengths: 3,000 USP units of lipase; 10,000 USP units of protease; and 14,000 USP units of amylase in a two‑piece hypromellose capsule with a white opaque cap and white opaque body, and red imprint with "APTALIS 3" 5,000 USP units of lipase; 17,000 USP units of protease; and 24,000 USP units of amylase in a two‑piece hypromellose capsule with a white opaque cap and white opaque body, and blue imprint with "APTALIS 5" 10,000 USP units of lipase; 32,000 USP units of protease; and 42,000 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a yellow opaque cap and white opaque body, and blue imprint with "APTALIS 10" 15,000 USP units of lipase; 47,000 USP units of protease; and 63,000 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a red opaque cap and white opaque body, and blue imprint with "APTALIS 15" 20,000 USP units of lipase; 63,000 USP units of protease; and 84,000 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a green opaque cap and white opaque body, and blue imprint with "APTALIS 20" 25,000 USP units of lipase; 79,000 USP units of protease; and 105,000 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with a blue opaque cap and white opaque body, and blue imprint with "APTALIS 25" 40,000 USP units of lipase; 126,000 USP units of protease; and 168,000 USP units of amylase in a two-piece hypromellose capsule with an orange opaque cap and white opaque body, and blue imprint with "APTALIS 40" 60,000 USP units of lipase; 189,600 USP units of protease; 252,600 USP units of amylase. Capsules have a powder blue opaque cap with two black stripes and white opaque body, black imprint with "APTALIS 60 " Delayed-Release Capsules ( 3 ): 3,000 USP units of lipase; 10,000 USP units of protease; and 14,000 USP units of amylase 5,000 USP units of lipase; 17,000 USP units of protease; and 24,000 USP units of amylase 10,000 USP units of lipase; 32,000 USP units of protease; and 42,000 USP units of amylase 15,000 USP units of lipase; 47,000 USP units of protease; and 63,000 USP units of amylase 20,000 USP units of lipase; 63,000 USP units of protease; and 84,000 USP units of amylase 25,000 USP units of lipase; 79,000 USP units of protease; and 105,000 USP units of amylase 40,000 USP units of lipase; 126,000 USP units of protease; and 168,000 USP units of amylase 60,000 USP units of lipase; 189,600 USP units of protease; and 252,600 USP units of amylase

Who should not take it (contraindications)

None. None ( 4 )

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 , 5.2 ) 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 with use 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 ZENPEP 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 or 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 ZENPEP 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., commercially available preparations of applesauce, bananas or pears). Do not crush or chew ZENPEP capsules or capsule contents. Consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk, or formula) immediately following administration of ZENPEP 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 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 ZENPEP.

5.4 Risk of Viral Transmission ZENPEP is sourced from pancreatic tissue from swine used for food consumption. Although the risk that ZENPEP 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 Severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus have been reported with pancreatic enzyme products [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . 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 ZENPEP. The risks and benefits of continued ZENPEP treatment in patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions should be taken into consideration with the overall clinical needs of the patient.

Side effects (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) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥6%) are: headache, contusion, cough, and early satiety. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc at 1-833-AIM2KNO (1-833-246-2566) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience 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 clinical practice. The data described below reflect exposure to ZENPEP in 53 adult and pediatric patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis in two clinical trials conducted [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . In both trials, ZENPEP was administered at dosages of approximately 5,000 lipase units/kg/day for 19 to 42 days. Study 1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 34 adult and pediatric patients, aged 7 to 23 years. Adverse reactions that were reported in at least 2 ZENPEP-treated patients (greater than or equal to 6%) and at a higher rate than in placebo-treated patients in Study 1 are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in at least 2 ZENPEP-treated patients (greater than or equal to 6%) and at a higher rate than placebo-treated patients. in a Clinical Trial of Adult and Pediatric Patients 7 Years of Age and Older with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency due to Cystic Fibrosis (Study 1) Adverse Reaction ZENPEP N=34 n (%) Placebo N=32 n (%) Headache 5 (15%) 0 Contusion 2 (6%) 0 Cough 2 (6%) 0 Early Satiety 2 (6%) 0 Study 2 was an open-label, uncontrolled study of ZENPEP in 19 pediatric patients aged 1 to 6 years. The most commonly reported adverse reactions were gastrointestinal, including abdominal pain and steatorrhea. The type and incidence of adverse reactions in Studies 1 and 2 were similar between pediatric patients and adults.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ZENPEP 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. Eye Disorders blurred vision Gastrointestinal Disorders fibrosing colonopathy and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, and nausea Immune System Disorders anaphylaxis, asthma, hives and pruritis Investigations asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes Musculoskeletal System myalgia, muscle spasm Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders urticaria and rash

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

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 ZENPEP and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ZENPEP or from the underlying maternal conditions.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ZENPEP for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency have been established in pediatric patients. Use of ZENPEP for this indication is supported by an adequate and well-controlled trial in adult and pediatric patients 7 to 17 years of age (Study 1) along with supportive data from an open-label, single arm study in 19 pediatric patients 1 to 6 years of age (Study 2). Both study populations consisted of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis. The safety in pediatric patients in Studies 1 and 2 were similar to that observed in adult patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) 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 ZENPEP 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 ZENPEP 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 that 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 ZENPEP 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.

How it works

Pancreatic enzyme products contain a mixture of lipases, proteases, and amylases that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats to monoglycerides, glycerol, and free fatty acids, protein into peptides and amino acids, and starch 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.

Is there a generic Pancrelipase Lipase, Pancrelipase Protease, Pancrelipase Amylase?

No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Pancrelipase lipase, pancrelipase protease, pancrelipase amylase in the news

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Recalls

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 7f16f2d4-8df6-4bd7-ac10-56994fa257b0.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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