Approved Drug Label (PDF)
5
Warnings and Precautions
5.1 Fibrosing Colonopathy
Additions and/or
revisions underlined:
Fibrosing colonopathy has been reported following
treatment with pancreatic enzyme products. Fibrosing colonopathy is a rare
serious adverse reaction initially described in association with use of
high-dose pancreatic enzyme products, usually with use over a prolonged period
of time and most commonly reported in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.
Pancreatic enzyme products exceeding 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal have been
associated with colonic stricture, a complication of fibrosing colonopathy,
in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age. The underlying
mechanism of fibrosing colonopathy remains unknown.
If there is a history of
fibrosing colonopathy, monitor patients during treatment with ZENPEP because
some patients may be at risk of progressing to colonic stricture formation. It
is uncertain whether regression of fibrosing colonopathy occurs. Do not exceed
the recommended dosage of either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000
lipase units/g fat ingested/day in adult and pediatric patients greater than 12
months of age without further investigation. Higher dosages may be
administered if they are documented to be effective by fecal fat measuresor
an improvement in signs or symptoms of malabsorption including measures of nutritional
status. Patients receiving dosages higher than 6,000 lipase units/kg/meal
should be frequently monitored for symptoms of fibrosing colonopathy and
the dosage decreased or titrated downward to a lower range if clinically
appropriate [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
5.2 Irritation of the Oral Mucosa
Additions
and/or revisions underlined:
Crushing
or chewing ZENPEP capsules or mixing the capsule contents in foods having a pH
greater than 4.5 can disrupt the protective enteric coating on the capsule
contents and result in early release of enzymes, irritation of the oral
mucosa, and/or loss of enzyme activity.
Instruct
the patient or caregiver of the following:
Swallow
capsules whole. For patients who cannot swallow the capsules whole, the
capsules can be opened, and the contents sprinkled on a small amount of acidic
soft food with a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., commercially available
preparations of applesauce, bananas or pears).
Do
not crush or chew ZENPEP capsules or capsule contents.
Consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk,
or formula) immediately following administration of ZENPEP to ensure complete
swallowing.
Visually inspect the mouth of pediatric patients less
than 12 months of age and of patients who are unable to swallow intact capsules
to ensure no drug is retained in the mouth and irritation of the oral mucosa
has not occurred [see Dosage and
Administration (2.3)].
5.3 Hyperuricemia
Additions
and/or revisions underlined:
Pancreatic
enzyme products contain purines that may increase blood uric acid levels. High
dosages have been associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia [see Overdosage (10)].
Consider
monitoring blood uric acid levels in patients with gout, renal impairment, or
hyperuricemia during treatment with ZENPEP.
5.5
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Additions
and/or revisions underlined:
Severe
hypersensitivity
reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus have been reported
with pancreatic enzyme products [see
Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. If symptoms occur, initiate appropriate medical
management.
Monitor
patients
with a known hypersensitivity reaction to proteins of porcine origin for
hypersensitivity reactions during treatment with ZENPEP. The risks and benefits
of continued ZENPEP treatment in patients with severe hypersensitivity
reactions should be taken into consideration with the overall clinical needs of
the patient.
6
Adverse Reactions
Additions and/or
revisions underlined:
The following serious or otherwise important
adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
Fibrosing Colonopathy [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.1)]
Irritation of the Oral
Mucosa [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
Hyperuricemia [see Warnings and Precautions
(5.3)]
Risk of Viral Transmission [see
Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.5)]
6.1 Clinical
Trials Experience
Additions and/or revisions underlined:
…
The data described below reflect exposure to
ZENPEP in 53 adult and pediatric patients with exocrine pancreatic
insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis in two clinical trials conducted [see Clinical Studies (14)]. In both trials, ZENPEP was
administered at dosages of approximately 5,000 lipase units/kg/day for
19 to 42 days.
Study 1 was a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, crossover study of 34 adult and pediatric patients,
aged 7 to 23 years. Adverse
reactions that were reported in at least 2 ZENPEP-treated patients
(greater than or equal to 6%) and at a higher rate than in placebo-treated
patients in Study 1 are shown in Table 1.
Please refer to label to view Table 1.
Study 2 was an open-label, uncontrolled study of ZENPEP
in 19 pediatric patients aged 1 to 6 years. The most commonly
reported adverse reactions were gastrointestinal, including abdominal pain
and steatorrhea.
The type and incidence of adverse reactions in
Studies 1 and 2 were similar between pediatric patients and adults.
6.2 Postmarketing
Experience
Additions
and/or revisions underlined:
The
following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of
ZENPEP or other pancreatic enzyme products. Because these reactions are
reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always
possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal
relationship to drug exposure.
Eye
Disorders
blurred
vision
Gastrointestinal
Disorders
fibrosing
colonopathy and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
abdominal
distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, and nausea
Immune
System Disorders
anaphylaxis,
asthma, hives and pruritis
Investigations
asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes
Musculoskeletal
System
myalgia, muscle spasm
Skin
and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
urticaria and rash
8
Use in Specific Populations
8.4 Pediatric Use
Additions
and/or revisions underlined:
The
safety and effectiveness of ZENPEP for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic
insufficiency have been established in pediatric patients.
Use of ZENPEP for this indication is supported by an
adequate and well-controlled trial in adult and pediatric patients 7 to 17
years of age (Study 1) along with supportive data from an open-label, single
arm study in 19 pediatric patients 1 to 6 years of age (Study 2). Both study
populations consisted of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to
cystic fibrosis. The safety in pediatric patients in
Studies 1 and 2 were similar to that observed in
adult patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14)].
Dosages exceeding 6,000
lipase units/kg/meal have been reported postmarketing to be associated
with fibrosing colonopathy and colonic strictures in pediatric patients
less than 12 years of age. If there is a history of fibrosing colonopathy,
monitor patients during treatment with ZENPEP because some patients may be at
risk of progressing to stricture formation. Do not exceed the recommended
dosage of either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or
4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day in pediatric patients greater than 12
months of age without further investigation.
[see Dosage and Administration (2.2)
and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Crushing or chewing ZENPEP capsules or mixing the
capsule contents in foods having a pH greater than 4.5 can disrupt the
protective enteric coating on the capsule contents and result in early release
of enzymes, irritation of the oral mucosa, and/or loss of enzyme activity.
Instruct the patient or caregiver of the following: consume sufficient liquids
(juice, water, breast milk, or formula) to ensure complete swallowing, and
visually inspect the mouth of pediatric patients less than 12 months of age to
ensure that no drug is retained in the mouth and irritation of the oral mucosa
has not occurred [see Dosage and
Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
PATIENT COUNSELING
INFORMATION
Additions
and/or revisions underlined:
…
Fibrosing
Colonopathy
Advise
the patient or caregiver that fibrosing colonopathy has been reported with high
dosages of pancreatic enzyme products, usually with use over a prolonged period
of time and in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Colonic stricture has
been reported in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age.
Advise
patients and caregivers that if signs and symptoms of colon stricture formation
occur
(e.g.,
stomach area (abdominal) pain, bloating, trouble passing stool (constipation),
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) to immediately contact their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Hyperuricemia
Advise
the patient or caregiver that hyperuricemia may occur in patients with gout or
renal impairment and to contact the healthcare provider if they experience
pain, stiffness, redness or swelling of their joints [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Hypersensitivity
Reactions
Inform
the patient or caregiver that severe hypersensitivity reactions, including
anaphylaxis asthma, hives, and pruritus, have been reported with use of
pancreatic enzyme products. Seek medical attention if signs or symptoms of a
hypersensitivity reaction develop [see
Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Dosage
Advise
the patient or caregiver to take ZENPEP as prescribed, and to contact the
healthcare provider if signs and symptoms of malabsorption persist [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Administration
Instruct
the patient or caregiver as follows:
Take
ZENPEP with meals or snacks.
Swallow
capsules whole.
For
adult and pediatric patients who are unable to swallow intact capsules, the
capsule contents may be sprinkled on a small amount of acidic soft food with
a pH of 4.5 or less (e.g., commercially available preparations of
applesauce, bananas, or pears). For pediatric patients birth to 12
months of age, ZENPEP capsules can also be opened, and the capsule contents
sprinkled directly into the infant’s mouth.
Consume sufficient liquids (juice, water, breast milk,
or formula) and visually inspect an infant’s mouth to ensure complete
swallowing of ZENPEP capsules or capsule contents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Do
not crush or chew ZENPEP capsules or capsule contents.
Do not mix the ZENPEP capsule contents directly into a
bottle of breast milk or formula.
Storage
Instruct
the patient or caregiver as follows:
Keep ZENPEP in a dry place and protect from moisture
and heat.
After opening, keep bottle tightly closed between uses
to protect from moisture.
The desiccant packet should not be eaten or thrown
away.
MEDICATION GUIDE
Extensive additions and/or revisions, please refer
to label for complete information.
Approved Drug Label (PDF)
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
MEDICATION GUIDE
Additions and/or revisions underlined
…
What
are possible side effects of ZENPEP?
ZENPEP
may cause serious side effects, including:
…
These are not all the possible side effects of
ZENPEP. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor
for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA- 1088.
You may also report side effects to Nestlé
HealthScience at 1-833-920-2178.
…
General
information about ZENPEP
…
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important
information about ZENPEP. If you would like more information, talk with your
doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about ZENPEP that
is written for health professionals. For more information, go to www.ZENPEP.com or call
1-833-920-2178.
…
General
information about the safe and effective use of VIOKACE
…
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important
information about VIOKACE. If you would like more information, talk to your
doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about VIOKACE
that is written for healthcare providers.
For more information, go to www.viokace.com or call
toll-free 1-833-920-2178.
…