Pancreatic Enzymes
Pancreatic enzymes contain a combination of lipase, amylase, and protease. These enzymes are essential for digesting fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. They are typically enteric-coated to prevent destruction by stomach acid so they can work in the small intestine.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dosage must be individualized based on body weight, clinical symptoms, and dietary fat intake. Must be swallowed whole and taken with meals or snacks. Do not crush or chew the capsules or tablets.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- 2,000 to 4,000 lipase units per 120 mL feeding
- Frequency
- With every breast milk or formula feeding
- Tracking Notes
- Give immediately before feeding. Do not mix directly into the bottle of formula or breast milk.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 5,000 to 7,000 units)
- Frequency
- With every meal; use half dose for snacks
- Tracking Notes
- Open capsule and mix intact spheres with acidic soft food (like applesauce) if child cannot swallow capsules. Do not chew.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 8,000 to 10,000 units)
- Frequency
- With every meal; use half dose for snacks
- Tracking Notes
- Ensure child drinks plenty of fluids. Do not exceed recommended daily limits to avoid fibrosing colonopathy.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 11,000 to 15,000 units)
- Frequency
- With every meal; use half dose for snacks
- Tracking Notes
- Doses should be adjusted by a healthcare professional based on weight gain and stool characteristics.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 16,000 to 20,000 units)
- Frequency
- With every meal; use half dose for snacks
- Tracking Notes
- Do not let the capsule contents stay in the mouth, as it can cause mucosal irritation.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | 2,000 to 4,000 lipase units per 120 mL feeding | With every breast milk or formula feeding | Give immediately before feeding. Do not mix directly into the bottle of formula or breast milk. |
| 5-7 kg | 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 5,000 to 7,000 units) | With every meal; use half dose for snacks | Open capsule and mix intact spheres with acidic soft food (like applesauce) if child cannot swallow capsules. Do not chew. |
| 8-10 kg | 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 8,000 to 10,000 units) | With every meal; use half dose for snacks | Ensure child drinks plenty of fluids. Do not exceed recommended daily limits to avoid fibrosing colonopathy. |
| 11-15 kg | 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 11,000 to 15,000 units) | With every meal; use half dose for snacks | Doses should be adjusted by a healthcare professional based on weight gain and stool characteristics. |
| 16-20 kg | 1,000 lipase units per kg per meal (approx. 16,000 to 20,000 units) | With every meal; use half dose for snacks | Do not let the capsule contents stay in the mouth, as it can cause mucosal irritation. |
Formulation
Purpose
Used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) associated with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, or other conditions where the pancreas cannot produce enough digestive enzymes.
Generic Name
PancrelipaseBranded Drug Names
Pancreatic Enzymes is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.