Brand Viokase 16

This medication contains digestive enzymes, which are natural substances needed by the body to help break down and digest food. It is used when the pancreas cannot make or does not release enough digestive enzymes into the gut to digest the food. Depending on the amount of enzymes in your product, it may be used for indigestion, as a supplement, or as replacement therapy (e.g., in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer of the pancreas, after surgery on the pancreas or gut). Some supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details about the brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Take this medication by mouth with meals and snacks as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, diet, and response to therapy. If you are using the tablet form of the medication, make sure not to keep it in the mouth because doing so can cause irritation to the gums and cheeks. Swallow the medication with water. For the chewable tablets, chew thoroughly before swallowing. If you are using the capsule form of the medication and swallowing is difficult, the capsule may be opened and the powder mixed with food or liquid. Be careful not to inhale any of the powder because doing so can irritate the inside of the nose or cause an asthma attack. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. If your doctor has recommended that you follow a special diet, it is very important to follow the diet to get the most benefit from this medication. Do not change brands or dosage forms of this product without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Different products may contain different amounts of the digestive enzymes. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Before taking this digestive enzyme, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to pork protein; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: sudden/severe swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), sudden worsening of long-term disease of the pancreas. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

If you miss a dose, take the next dose with your next meal or snack as directed. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: acarbose, miglitol. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this digestive enzyme. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: iron supplements. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramps, or nausea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe abdominal discomfort, frequent/painful urination, joint pain. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.