Zenpep

Pronunciation: PAN-kree-LYE-pase
Generic Name: Pancrelipase
Brand Name: Examples include Creon and Zenpep

Zenpep is used for:

Improving food digestion in patients who cannot digest food properly because they have a pancreas problem (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) caused by cystic fibrosis or certain other conditions.

Zenpep is a digestive enzyme combination. It works by helping the body to digest protein, starch, and fat.

Do NOT use Zenpep if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zenpep


• you have inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or a flare-up of long-term pancreas problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zenpep:

Some medical conditions may interact with Zenpep. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (including pork proteins)


• if you have gout, high uric acid levels, or a history of kidney problems


• if you have a history of pancreas problems or stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage, scarring, short bowel syndrome, Crohn disease)


• if you have trouble swallowing capsules

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zenpep. However, no specific interactions with Zenpep are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Zenpep may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zenpep:

Use Zenpep as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Zenpep comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Zenpep refilled.


• Take Zenpep by mouth with each meal or snack as directed by your doctor.


• Swallow Zenpep whole with enough liquid to swallow it completely. Do not break, crush, chew, or hold Zenpep in your mouth before swallowing. Doing so may increase the risk of mouth or tongue irritation from Zenpep. Follow with a glass of water or juice. Contact your doctor if you experience mouth or tongue irritation while taking Zenpep.


• If the patient is an infant (up to 12 months old), open the capsule and sprinkle the contents into the infant's mouth or over a small amount of applesauce at room temperature. Do NOT mix Zenpep directly in breast milk or formula. If sprinkled onto applesauce, give the mixture to the infant right away. After giving Zenpep, follow it with breast milk or formula. Be sure that none of the medicine is crushed, chewed, or left in the mouth.


• If the patient is an adult or child older than 12 months who cannot swallow the capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the contents over a small amount of acidic soft food (such as applesauce) at room temperature. Mix the medicine with the food and swallow the entire mixture right away, followed by a glass of water or juice. Be sure that none of the medicine is crushed, chewed, or left in the mouth. Check with your doctor if you are unsure which foods you may mix with Zenpep.


• If you miss a dose of Zenpep, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once or take a dose without a snack or a meal.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zenpep.

Important safety information:

• Zenpep may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zenpep with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.


• Do not switch between Zenpep and another pancreatic enzyme medicine without first checking with your doctor.


• Zenpep may cause high or low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your heart beat faster; make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you hungrier. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.


• Zenpep may increase the risk of developing a rare, serious condition called fibrosing colonopathy. When this occurs, it is usually with high doses over a long period of time. It has been most commonly reported in children with cystic fibrosis. Contact your doctor right away if you experience unusual or severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain, or severe or persistent loose stools, constipation, or diarrhea.


• Zenpep comes from pork (pig) pancreas tissue. There is an extremely rare risk of developing a viral disease from this product. No cases of viral disease from pork pancreas products have been identified.


• CHILDREN may be more likely to experience certain side effects (decreased appetite, irritability) while taking Zenpep. Discuss any questions with your doctor.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Zenpep can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zenpep while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zenpep is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zenpep, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zenpep:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Decreased appetite; dizziness; frequent or abnormal bowel movements; gas; headache; irritability; sore throat or cough; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); painful, swollen joints; severe or persistent loose stools, diarrhea, or constipation; severe or unusual nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; stomach bloating; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased urination, thirst, or hunger; confusion; unusual drowsiness; fast breathing; flushing); symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, headache, lightheadedness, tremors, unusual sweating, weakness).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Zenpep side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Zenpep:

Store Zenpep at room temperature up to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 77 and 104 degrees F (25 and 40 degrees C) is permitted for up to 30 days. Store in the original container away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zenpep out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Zenpep, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Zenpep is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zenpep. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Zenpep resources

• Zenpep Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zenpep Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Zenpep Drug Interactions
• Zenpep Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Zenpep - Add your own review/rating

• Zenpep Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Zenpep Consumer Overview


• Zenpep Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Pancrelipase Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Pancrelipase Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pancrelipase Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Creon Consumer Overview


• Creon Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Pancreaze Consumer Overview


• Pancreaze Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Zenpep with other medications

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• Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction