Brand Zenpep

This medication contains digestive enzymes to help break down and digest fats, starch, and proteins in food. It is used in conditions where the pancreas cannot make or does not release enough digestive enzymes into the small intestines to digest the food (e.g., chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer of the pancreas, post-pancreatectomy, post-gastrointestinal bypass surgery).

Some brands of this medication have a Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist. If one is available, read the Medication Guide before your start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with meals and snacks as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules or keep the capsules in your mouth. Doing so can irritate the mouth and also change the way the medication works. If swallowing is difficult, then the capsule may be opened and the contents mixed in a small amount of liquid or soft food that does not need to be chewed (such as room-temperature applesauce). Do not mix the contents of the capsule with alkaline food or liquid (such as milk, ice cream, tea). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information about what foods/liquids (such as infant formula, breast milk) to avoid when mixing. Swallow the food or liquid right away, making sure not to chew the medication. Drink a glass of water or juice after swallowing the food to make sure all the medication is swallowed. Do not save the medication mixture for later. Dosage is based on your medical condition, diet, and response to therapy. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Take it with every meal or snack. 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 pancrelipase 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 pancrelipase, 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, especially of: gout, kidney disease, high uric acid level in the blood (hyperuricemia), intestinal problems (such as blockage). This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. 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 pancrelipase. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use. 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, constipation, abdominal pain/cramps, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because 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 rare but very serious side effects occur: severe constipation, severe stomach/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 away from light and moisture. Check the product package for more details on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. 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.