Zymogen Forte (pancrelipase) is a combination of three enzymes (proteins): lipase, protease, and amylase. These enzymes are normally produced by the pancreas and are important in the digestion of fats, proteins, and sugars.
Zymogen Forte is used to replace these enzymes when the body does not have enough of its own. Certain medical conditions can cause this lack of enzymes, including cystic fibrosis, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, or blockage of the pancreatic ducts.
Zymogen Forte may also be used following surgical removal of the pancreas.
Zymogen Forte may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Zymogen Forte indications
An indication is a term used for the list of condition or symptom or illness for which the medicine is prescribed or used by the patient. For example, acetaminophen or paracetamol is used for fever by the patient, or the doctor prescribes it for a headache or body pains. Now fever, headache and body pains are the indications of paracetamol. A patient should be aware of the indications of medications used for common conditions because they can be taken over the counter in the pharmacy meaning without prescription by the Physician.
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Pancreatic insufficiency
Pancreatic enzyme supplements commonly cause gastrointestinal adverse effects such as abdominal discomfort and nausea and vomiting. They may also cause buccal and perianal irritation, particularly in infants. Colonic strictures (fibrosing colonopathy) have occurred, mainly in children with cystic fibrosis receiving high doses of Zymogen Forte preparations; the use of high doses in patients with cystic fibrosis should preferably be avoided. Adequate hydration should be maintained at all times in patients receiving higher strength preparations.
How should I use Zymogen Forte?
Use Zymogen Forte as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Zymogen Forte comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Zymogen Forte refilled.
Take Zymogen Forte by mouth with each meal or snack as directed by your doctor.
Swallow Zymogen Forte whole with enough liquid to swallow it completely. Do not break, crush, chew, or hold Zymogen Forte in your mouth before swallowing. Doing so may increase the risk of mouth irritation from Zymogen Forte. Follow with a glass of water or juice. Contact your doctor if you experience mouth irritation while taking Zymogen Forte.
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 Zymogen Forte directly in breast milk or formula. If sprinkled onto applesauce, give the mixture to the infant right away. After giving Zymogen Forte, 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 old 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 Zymogen Forte.
If you miss a dose of Zymogen Forte, 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 Zymogen Forte.
Uses of Zymogen Forte in details
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.
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This medication contains digestive enzymes, which are natural substances needed by the body to help break down and digest food. It is used when the pancreas cannot make or does not release enough digestive enzymes into the gut to digest the food. Depending on the amount of enzymes in your product, it may be used for indigestion, as a supplement, or as replacement therapy (e.g., in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer of the pancreas, after surgery on the pancreas or gut).
Some supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details about the brand you use.
The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
How to use Zymogen Forte 4X
Take this medication by mouth with meals and snacks as directed by your doctor.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, diet, and response to treatment.
If you are using the tablet form of the medication, make sure not to keep it in the mouth because doing so can cause irritation to the gums and cheeks. Swallow the medication with water. For the chewable tablets, chew thoroughly before swallowing.
If you are using the capsule form of the medication and swallowing is difficult, the capsule may be opened and the powder mixed with food or liquid.
Be careful not to inhale any of the powder because doing so can irritate the inside of the nose or cause an asthma attack.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.
If your doctor has recommended that you follow a special diet, it is very important to follow the diet to get the most benefit from this medication.
Do not change brands or dosage forms of this product without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Different products may contain different amounts of the digestive enzymes.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Zymogen Forte description
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Each hard-gelatin capsule contains Pancreatin (pancreas powder) 150 mg corresponding to amylase 8000 Ph Eur units, lipase 10,000 Ph Eur units and protease 600 Ph Eur units. It also contains the following excipients: Core Pellet: Macrogol 4000. Pellet Coating: Hypermellose phthalate, dimethicone 1000, triethyl citrate, cetyl alcohol. Capsule: Iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), sodium lauryl sulphate, gelatin.
Zymogen Forte dosage
Zymogen Forte is not interchangeable with other pancrelipase products.
Zymogen Forte is orally administered. Therapy should be initiated at the lowest recommended dose and gradually increased. The dosage of Zymogen Forte should be individualized based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet as described in the Limitations on Dosing below.
Administration
Infants (up to 12 months)
Zymogen Forte should be administered to infants immediately prior to each feeding, using a dosage of 3,000 lipase units per 120 mL of formula or prior to breast-feeding. Contents of the capsule may be administered directly to the mouth or with a small amount of applesauce. 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 Zymogen Forte is not crushed or chewed or retained in the mouth, to avoid irritation of the oral mucosa.
Children and Adults
Zymogen Forte should be taken during meals or snacks, with sufficient fluid. Zymogen Forte 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 added to a small amount of acidic soft food with a pH of 4.5 or less, such as applesauce, at room temperature. The Zymogen Forte-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
Dosage recommendations for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy were published following the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences.1, 2, 3 Zymogen Forte should be administered in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences (also known as Conferences) provided in the following paragraphs, except for infants. Although the Conferences recommend doses of 2,000 to 4,000 lipase units in infants up to 12 months, Zymogen Forte is available in a 3,000 lipase unit capsule. Therefore, the recommended dose of Zymogen Forte in infants up to 12 months is 3,000 lipase units per 120 mL of formula or per breast-feeding. Patients may be dosed on a fat ingestion-based or actual body weight-based dosing scheme.
Additional recommendations for pancreatic enzyme therapy in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy are based on a clinical trial conducted in these populations.
Infants (up to 12 months)
Zymogen Forte is available in the strength of 3,000 USP units of lipase thus infants may be given 3,000 lipase units (one capsule) per 120 mL of formula or per breast-feeding. Do not mix Zymogen Forte 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 Zymogen Forte 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.
Adults with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due to Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy
The initial starting dose and increases in the dose per meal should be individualized based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet.
In one clinical trial, patients received Zymogen Forte at a dose of 72,000 lipase units per meal while consuming at least 100 g of fat per day. Lower starting doses recommended in the literature are consistent with the 500 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal lowest starting dose recommended for adults in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Consensus Conferences Guidelines. If symptoms and signs of steatorrhea persist, the dosage may be increased by the 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 6,000 lipase units/kg of body weight per meal have been associated with colonic stricture, indicative of fibrosing colonopathy, in children less than 12 years of age. 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.
How supplied
Dosage Forms And Strengths
The active ingredient in Zymogen Forte evaluated in clinical trials is lipase. Zymogen Forte is dosed by lipase units.
Other active ingredients include protease and amylase. Each Zymogen Forte delayed-release capsule strength contains the specified amounts of lipase, protease, and amylase as follows:
3,000 USP units of lipase; 9,500 USP units of protease; 15,000 USP units of amylase delayed-release capsules have a white opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1203” and a white opaque body.
6,000 USP units of lipase; 19,000 USP units of protease; 30,000 USP units of amylase delayed-release capsules have an orange opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1206” and a blue opaque body.
12,000 USP units of lipase; 38,000 USP units of protease; 60,000 USP units of amylase delayed-release capsules have a brown opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1212” and a colorless transparent body.
24,000 USP units of lipase; 76,000 USP units of protease; 120,000 USP units of amylase delayed-release capsules have an orange opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1224” and a colorless transparent body.
36,000 USP units of lipase; 114,000 USP units of protease; 180,000 USP units of amylase delayed-release capsules have a blue opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1236” and a colorless transparent body.
Zymogen Forte (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules
3,000 USP units of lipase; 9,500 USP units of protease; 15,000 USP units of amylase
Each Zymogen Forte capsule is available as a two piece hypromellose capsule with a white opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1203” and a white opaque body that contains tan colored, delayed-release pancrelipase supplied in bottles of:
70 capsules (NDC 0032-1203-70)
Zymogen Forte (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules
6,000 USP units of lipase; 19,000 USP units of protease; 30,000 USP units of amylase
Each Zymogen Forte capsule is available as a two-piece gelatin capsule with orange opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1206” and a blue opaque body that contains tan-colored, delayed-release pancrelipase supplied in bottles of:
100 capsules (NDC 0032-1206-01)
250 capsules (NDC 0032-1206-07)
Zymogen Forte (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules
12,000 USP units of lipase; 38,000 USP units of protease; 60,000 USP units of amylase
Each Zymogen Forte capsule is available as a two-piece gelatin capsule with a brown opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1212” and a colorless transparent body that contains tan-colored, delayed-release pancrelipase supplied in bottles of:
100 capsules (NDC 0032-1212-01)
250 capsules (NDC 0032-1212-07)
Zymogen Forte (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules
24,000 USP units of lipase; 76,000 USP units of protease; 120,000 USP units of amylase
Each Zymogen Forte capsule is available as a two-piece gelatin capsule with orange opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1224” and a colorless transparent body that contains tan-colored, delayed-release pancrelipase supplied in bottles of:
100 capsules (NDC 0032-1224-01)
250 capsules (NDC 0032-1224-07)
Zymogen Forte (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules
36,000 USP units of lipase; 114,000 USP units of protease; 180,000 USP units of amylase
Each Zymogen Forte capsule is available as a two-piece gelatin capsule with blue opaque cap with imprint “Zymogen Forte 1236” and a colorless transparent body that contains tan-colored, delayed-release pancrelipase supplied in bottles of:
100 capsules (NDC 0032-3016-13)
250 capsules (NDC 0032-3016-28)
Storage and Handling
Zymogen Forte must be stored at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) and protected from moisture. Temperature excursions are permitted between 25°C to 40°C (77°F and 104°F) for up to 30 days. Product should be discarded if exposed to higher temperature and moisture conditions higher than 70%. After opening, keep bottle tightly closed between uses to protect from moisture.
Bottles of Zymogen Forte 3,000 USP units of lipase must be stored and dispensed in the original container.
Do not crush Zymogen Forte delayed-release capsules or the capsule contents.
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, Stark 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.
4 Dominguez-Munoz JE. Pancreatic enzyme therapy for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2007; 9: 116-122.
Manufactured by: Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Hannover, Germany. Marketed by: AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL 60064, U.S.A. Revised: September, 2012
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: acarbose, miglitol.
The most serious adverse reactions reported with different pancreatic enzyme products of the same active ingredient (pancrelipase) that are described elsewhere in the label include fibrosing colonopathy, hyperuricemia and allergic reactions.
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The short-term safety of Zymogen Forte was assessed in clinical trials conducted in 121 patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): 67 patients with EPI due to cystic fibrosis (CF) and 25 patients with EPI due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy were treated with Zymogen Forte.
Cystic Fibrosis
Studies 1 and 2 were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies of 49 patients, ages 7 to 43 years, with EPI due to CF. Study 1 included 32 patients ages 12 to 43 years and Study 2 included 17 patients ages 7 to 11 years. In these studies, patients were randomized to receive Zymogen Forte at a dose of 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested per day or matching placebo for 5 to 6 days of treatment, followed by crossover to the alternate treatment for an additional 5 to 6 days. The mean exposure to Zymogen Forte during these studies was 5 days.
In Study 1, one patient experienced duodenitis and gastritis of moderate severity 16 days after completing treatment with Zymogen Forte. Transient neutropenia without clinical sequelae was observed as an abnormal laboratory finding in one patient receiving Zymogen Forte and a macrolide antibiotic.
In Study 2, adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2 patients (greater than or equal to 12%) treated with Zymogen Forte were vomiting and headache. Vomiting occurred in 2 patients treated with Zymogen Forte and did not occur in patients treated with placebo; headache occurred in 2 patients treated with Zymogen Forte and did not occur in patients treated with placebo.
The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 4%) in Studies 1 and 2 were vomiting, dizziness, and cough. Table 1 enumerates adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2 patients (greater than or equal to 4%) treated with Zymogen Forte at a higher rate than with placebo in Studies 1 and 2.
Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring in at Least 2 Patients (greater than or equal to 4%) in Cystic Fibrosis (Studies 1 and 2)
Adverse Reaction
Zymogen Forte Capsules
n = 49(%)
Placebo
n = 47(%)
Vomiting
3 (6)
1 (2)
Dizziness
2 (4)
1 (2)
Cough
2 (4)
0
An additional open-label, single-arm study assessed the short-term safety and tolerability of Zymogen Forte in 18 infants and children, ages 4 months to 6 years, with EPI due to cystic fibrosis. Patients received their usual pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (mean dose of 7,000 lipase units/kg/day for a mean duration of 18.2 days) followed by Zymogen Forte (mean dose of 7,500 lipase units/kg/day for a mean duration of 12.6 days). There were no serious adverse reactions. Adverse reactions that occurred in patients during treatment with Zymogen Forte were vomiting, irritability, and decreased appetite, each occurring in 6% of patients.
Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in 54 adult patients, ages 32 to 75 years, with EPI due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy. Patients received single-blind placebo treatment during a 5-day run-in period followed by an intervening period of up to 16 days of investigatordirected treatment with no restrictions on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Patients were then randomized to receive Zymogen Forte or matching placebo for 7 days. The Zymogen Forte dose was 72,000 lipase units per main meal (3 main meals) and 36,000 lipase units per snack (2 snacks). The mean exposure to Zymogen Forte during this study was 6.8 days in the 25 patients that received Zymogen Forte.
The most common adverse reactions reported during the study were related to glycemic control and were reported more commonly during Zymogen Forte treatment than during placebo treatment.
Table 2 enumerates adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1 patient (greater than or equal to 4%) treated with Zymogen Forte at a higher rate than with placebo.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions in at Least 1 Patient (greater than or equal to 4%) in the Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy Trial
Adverse Reaction
Zymogen Forte Capsules
n = 25(%)
Placebo
n = 29 (%)
Hyperglycemia
2 (8)
2 (7)
Hypoglycemia
1 (4)
1 (3)
Abdominal Pain
1 (4)
1 (3)
Abnormal Feces
1 (4)
0
Flatulence
1 (4)
0
Frequent Bowel Movements
1 (4)
0
Nasopharyngitis
1 (4)
0
Postmarketing Experience
Postmarketing data from this formulation of Zymogen Forte have been available since 2009. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of this formulation of Zymogen Forte. 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.
Gastrointestinal disorders (including abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation and nausea), skin disorders (including pruritus, urticaria and rash), blurred vision, myalgia, muscle spasm, and asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes have been reported with this formulation of Zymogen Forte.
Delayed- and immediate-release pancreatic enzyme products with different formulations of the same active ingredient (pancrelipase) have been used for the treatment of patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis and other conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis. The long-term safety profile of these products has been described in the medical literature. The most serious adverse reactions included fibrosing colonopathy, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), recurrence of pre-existing carcinoma, and severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, asthma, hives, and pruritus.
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Zymogen Forte are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Zymogen Forte. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.
User reports
Consumer reported useful
No survey data has been collected yet
1 consumer reported price estimates
Was the price you paid to purchase the drug reasonable? Did you feel it was expensive? The below mentioned numbers have been reported by ndrugs.com website users about whether the Zymogen Forte drug is expensive or inexpensive. There is a mixed opinion among users. The rating about the cost of the drug depends on factors like which brand drug the patient purchased, how effective it was for the price paid, the country or place the drug is marketed, and the economic condition of the patient. The users who feel the drug is expensive can look for an alternative brand drug or a generic drug to save the cost.
Users
%
Not expensive
1
100.0%
Consumer reported time for results
No survey data has been collected yet
3 consumers reported age
Users
%
30-45
1
33.3%
> 60
1
33.3%
46-60
1
33.3%
Consumer reviews
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