Viokace (pancrelipase) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat pancreatic insufficiency in adults. Viokace comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken with meals and snacks.

Viokace is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in adults. It’s used to treat EPI caused by surgical removal of the pancreas or chronic pancreatitis.

Viokace is a mixture of three enzymes and belongs to a drug class called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Viokace is a biologic and it’s not available in a biosimilar version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Viokace, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Viokace, see this article.

Note: This article describes the typical dosage of Viokace provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Viokace, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The typically recommended dosage for Viokace is described below.

Viokace form

Viokace comes as an oral tablet.

Viokace strengths

Viokace comes in two strengths:

  • 10,440 units of lipase/39,150 units of protease/39,150 units of amylase
  • 20,880 units of lipase/78,300 units of protease/78,300 units of amylase

Typical dosage

Your doctor will consider several factors in determining your dosage. However, they’ll typically prescribe a low dosage to start. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Note that Viokace doses are expressed as units of lipase (one of the drug’s active ingredients).

Dosage for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

Your doctor may prescribe Viokace to treat your EPI. The drug is typically taken in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.

Your dosage is based on your body weight in kilograms (kg) or your daily fat intake in grams (g). For reference, 1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds (lb). Your doctor will calculate your dosage. The recommended starting dosage is:

  • 500 units of lipase per kg of body weight per meal, or
  • less than 4,000 units of lipase per g of fat intake per day

In some situations, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage. They may increase it up to 2,500 units of lipase per kg of body weight per meal or 4,000 units of lipase per g of fat intake per day.

You’ll take your prescribed dose with each meal and snack. The dose you take with each snack is usually half of your dose for a full meal.

The total daily dose your doctor prescribes is based on three meals and two snacks per day. If your meals and snacks vary, make sure that you do not take more than your total daily dose. If you need help with this, ask your doctor.

The maximum recommended dosage of Viokace is 10,000 units of lipase per kg of body weight per day.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Viokace is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Viokace is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Viokace, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Viokace dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your body weight
  • the amount of fat in the foods in your diet
  • the severity of the condition you’re taking Viokace to treat

Viokace comes as a tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the tablet. Make sure to take the tablets with enough water to completely wash them down.

You’ll take your dose with each meal or snack. If you skip a meal or snack, you should also skip your dose of Viokace. Remember to bring your tablets with you wherever you go, especially places where you may eat.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to take Viokace, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Viokace in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Viokace, skip the missed dose. Then take your prescribed dose with your next meal or snack. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone. Keeping your Viokace in a place where you’ll see it as you prepare or eat food, such as your kitchen counter, may be helpful.

It’s important that you do not take more Viokace than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. Possible effects of an overdose may include gout or kidney stones.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Viokace

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Viokace. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Viokace and dosage.

Is the dosage of Viokace similar to the dosage of Creon?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Viokace comes as an oral tablet and Creon (pancrelipase) comes as an oral capsule. Both are taken by mouth with each meal or snack.

Viokace and Creon each contain a different amount of the active ingredients: lipase, protease, and amylase. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Viokace to start working?

Viokace starts to work right away after you take a dose. Be sure to take your dose of Viokace with food. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Viokace treatment.

The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Viokace for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Viokace without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Viokace that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Viokace. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.