Viokace
Viokace is a prescription medicine containing a mixture of digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Unlike other pancrelipase products, Viokace is a non-enteric-coated tablet and must be taken in combination with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to prevent gastric inactivation of the enzymes.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dosage should be individualized based on body weight, clinical symptoms, and fat content of the diet. Tablets must be swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed, and taken with meals or snacks. Always co-administer with a proton pump inhibitor.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Viokace is a tablet and should not be given to infants or young children who cannot swallow tablets whole.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients who cannot swallow tablets. Other formulations of pancrelipase are preferred.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Tablet formulation poses a choking hazard for young children; do not crush.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- Use alternative pancrelipase formulations unless able to swallow tablets
- Frequency
- With each meal or snack
- Tracking Notes
- If prescribed, dosing is based on lipase units (typically 1,000 to 2,500 USP lipase units/kg/meal). Must be co-administered with a PPI.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- Use alternative pancrelipase formulations unless able to swallow tablets
- Frequency
- With each meal or snack
- Tracking Notes
- If prescribed, dosing is based on lipase units (typically 1,000 to 2,500 USP lipase units/kg/meal). Must be co-administered with a PPI.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Not recommended | N/A | Viokace is a tablet and should not be given to infants or young children who cannot swallow tablets whole. |
| 5-7 kg | Not recommended | N/A | Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients who cannot swallow tablets. Other formulations of pancrelipase are preferred. |
| 8-10 kg | Not recommended | N/A | Tablet formulation poses a choking hazard for young children; do not crush. |
| 11-15 kg | Use alternative pancrelipase formulations unless able to swallow tablets | With each meal or snack | If prescribed, dosing is based on lipase units (typically 1,000 to 2,500 USP lipase units/kg/meal). Must be co-administered with a PPI. |
| 16-20 kg | Use alternative pancrelipase formulations unless able to swallow tablets | With each meal or snack | If prescribed, dosing is based on lipase units (typically 1,000 to 2,500 USP lipase units/kg/meal). Must be co-administered with a PPI. |
Formulation
Purpose
Treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy in adults.
Generic Name
PancrelipaseScheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.