ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) is indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis or other conditions.

Dosage

ZENPEP is not interchangeable with other pancrelipase products.

ZENPEP is orally administered. Therapy should be initiated at the lowest recommended dose and gradually increased. The dosage of ZENPEP should be individualized based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet (see Limitations on Dosing below).

Dosage recommendations for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy were published following the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences.1, 2, 3 ZENPEP should be administered in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the Conferences provided in the following paragraphs, with one exception. The Conferences recommend doses of 2,000 to 4,000 lipase units in infants up to 12 months,. ZENPEP is available in a 3,000 lipase unit capsule. The recommended dose of ZENPEP in infants up to 12 months is 3,000 lipase units. Patients may be dosed on a fat ingestion-based or actual body weight-based dosing scheme.

Infants (up to 12 months)

Infants may be given 3,000 lipase units (one capsule) per 120 mL of formula or breast-feeding. Do not mix ZENPEP capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk prior to administration.

Children Older than 12 Months and Younger than 4 Years

Enzyme dosing should begin with 1,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal for children less than age 4 years to a maximum of 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or less than or equal to 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day), or less than 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested per day.

Children 4 Years and Older and Adults

Enzyme dosing should begin with 500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal for those older than age 4 years to a maximum of 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or less than or equal to 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day), or less than 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested per day.

Usually, half of the prescribed ZENPEP dose for an individualized full meal should be given with each snack. The total daily dose should reflect approximately three meals plus two or three snacks per day.

Enzyme doses expressed as lipase units/kg of body weight per meal should be decreased in older patients because they weigh more but tend to ingest less fat per kilogram of body weight.

Limitations on Dosing

Dosing should not exceed the recommended maximum dosage set forth by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences Guidelines.^1,2,3

If symptoms and signs of steatorrhea persist, the dosage may be increased by a healthcare professional. Patients should be instructed not to increase the dosage on their own. There is great inter-individual variation in response to enzymes; thus, a range of doses is recommended. Changes in dosage may require an adjustment period of several days. If doses are to exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal, further investigation is warranted.

Doses greater than 2,500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal (or greater than 10,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per day) should be used with caution and only if they are documented to be effective by 3-day fecal fat measures that indicate a significantly improved coefficient of fat absorption. Doses greater than 6000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal have been associated with colonic strictures, indicative of fibrosing colonopathy, in children with cystic fibrosis less than 12 years of age [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Patients currently receiving higher doses than 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal should be examined and the dosage either immediately decreased or titrated downward to a lower range.

Administration

ZENPEP should always be taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Infants (up to 12 months)

ZENPEP should be administered to infants immediately prior to each feeding, using a dosage of 3,000 lipase units (one capsule) per 120 mL of formula or per breast-feeding. Contents of the capsule may be administered with a small amount of applesauce, or other acidic food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., commercially available preparations of bananas, or pears). Contents of the capsule may also be administered directly to the mouth. Administration should be followed by breast milk or formula. Contents of the capsule should not be mixed directly into formula or breast milk as this may diminish efficacy. Care should be taken to ensure that ZENPEP is not crushed or chewed or retained in the mouth, to avoid irritation of the oral mucosa.

Children and Adults

ZENPEP should be taken during meals or snacks, with sufficient fluid. ZENPEP capsules and capsule contents should not be crushed or chewed. Capsules should be swallowed whole.

For patients who are unable to swallow intact capsules, the capsules may be carefully opened and the contents sprinkled on small amounts of acidic soft food of pH 4.5 or less (e.g., commercially available preparations of bananas, pears and applesauce).

The ZENPEP -soft food mixture should be swallowed immediately without crushing or chewing, and followed with water or juice to ensure complete ingestion. Care should be taken to ensure that no drug is retained in the mouth.

Dosage Forms And Strengths

The active ingredient in ZENPEP evaluated in clinical trials is lipase. ZENPEP is dosed by lipase units.

ZENPEP is available in 4 color coded capsule strengths.

Other active ingredients include protease and amylase. Each ZENPEP capsule strength contains the specified amounts of lipase, protease, and amylase.

Capsules of all strengths have a radial print on the capsule body and are colored as follows:

• 3,000 USP units of lipase; 10,000 USP units of protease; 16,000 USP units of amylase capsules have a white opaque cap and white opaque body, red imprint with “EURAND 3”
• 5,000 USP units of lipase; 17,000 USP units of protease; 27,000 USP units of amylase capsules have a white opaque cap and white opaque body, blue print with “EURAND 5”
• 10,000 USP units of lipase; 34,000 USP units of protease; 55,000 USP units of amylase capsules have a yellow opaque cap and white opaque body, blue imprint with “EURAND 10”
• 15,000 USP units of lipase; 51,000 USP units of protease; 82,000 USP units of amylase capsules have a red opaque cap and white opaque body, blue imprint with “EURAND 15”
• 20,000 USP units of lipase; 68,000 USP units of protease; 109,000 USP units of amylase capsules have a green opaque cap and white opaque body, blue imprint with “EURAND 20”

ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules

3,000 USP units of lipase; 10,000 USP units of protease; 16,000 units of amylase.

Each ZENPEP capsule is available as a two piece hypromellose capsule with white opaque cap and white body with a red radial print and printed with “EURAND 3”, that contains 1.8-1.9mm enteric-coated beads. Capsules are supplied in bottles of:

12 capsules (NDC 42865-104-01)
100 capsules (NDC 42865-104-02)

ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules

5,000 USP units of lipase; 17,000 USP units of protease; 27,000 units of amylase.

Each ZENPEP capsule is available as a two piece hypromellose capsule with white opaque cap and white body with a blue radial print and printed with “EURAND 5”, that contains 1.8-1.9mm enteric-coated beads. Capsules are supplied in bottles of:

12 capsules (NDC 42865-100-01)
100 capsules (NDC 42865-100-02)

ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules

10,000 USP units of lipase; 34,000 units of protease; 55,000 units of amylase.

Each ZENPEP capsule is available as a two piece hypromellose capsule with yellow opaque cap and white body with a blue radial print and printed with “EURAND 10”, that contains 2.22.5mm enteric-coated beads. Capsules are supplied in bottles of:

12 capsules (NDC 42865-101-01)
100 capsules (NDC 42865-101-02)

ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules

15,000 USP units of lipase; 51,000 units of protease; 82,000 units of amylase.

Each ZENPEP capsule is available as a two piece hypromellose capsule with red opaque cap and white body with a blue radial print and printed with “EURAND 15”, that contains 2.2-2.5mm enteric-coated beads. Capsules are supplied in bottles of:

12 capsules (NDC 42865-102-01)
100 capsules (NDC 42865-102-02)

ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules

20,000 USP units of lipase; 68,000 units of protease; 109,000 units of amylase.

Each ZENPEP capsule is available as a two piece hypromellose capsule with green opaque cap and white body with a blue radial print and printed with “EURAND 20”, that contains 2.22.5mm enteric-coated beads. Capsules are supplied in bottles of:

12 capsules (NDC 42865-103-01)
100 capsules (NDC 42865-103-02)
500 capsules (NDC 42865-103-04)

Storage and Handling

Avoid excessive heat. Store at room temperature (68-77°F; 20-25°C), brief excursions permitted to 15-40°C (59-104°F). Protect from moisture. AFTER OPENING, KEEP BOTTLE TIGHTLY CLOSED between uses to PROTECT FROM MOISTURE.

Dispense in tight container (USP).

Keep out of reach of children.

DO NOT CRUSH ZENPEP delayed-release capsules.

REFERENCES

1. Borowitz DS, Grand RJ, Durie PR, et al. Use of pancreatic enzyme supplements for patients with cystic fibrosis in the context of fibrosing colonopathy. Journal of Pediatrics. 1995; 127: 681-684.

2. Borowitz DS, Baker RD, Stallings V. Consensus report on nutrition for pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology Nutrition. 2002 Sep; 35: 246-259.

3. Stallings VA, Start LJ, Robinson KA, et al. Evidence-based practice recommendations for nutrition-related management of children and adults with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency: results of a systematic review. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2008; 108: 832-839.

Manufactured by: Eurand S.p.A. Via Martin Luther King, 13 20060, Pessano con Bornago Milan, Italy. Marketed by: Eurand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 790 Township Line Road, Suite 250 Yardley, PA 19067

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/18/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.