Viokace Dosage

Important Dosing Information

VIOKACE is a mixture of enzymes including lipases, proteases, and amylases. VIOKACE dosing is based on lipase units.

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Administer VIOKACE with a proton pump inhibitor.

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Use either an actual body weight or fat ingestion‑based dosing scheme.

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Start at the lowest recommended dosage and individualize the dosage based on clinical symptoms, the degree of steatorrhea present, and the fat content of the diet. Changes in dosage may require an adjustment period of several days.

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Do not exceed 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/g fat ingested/day without further investigation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Higher dosages may be administered if they are documented to be effective by fecal fat measures or an improvement in signs or symptoms of malabsorption including measures of nutritional status.

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The total daily dosage should reflect approximately three meals plus two or three snacks per day. With each snack, administer approximately half the prescribed VIOKACE dose for a meal.

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Do not substitute other pancreatic enzyme products for VIOKACE. When switching from another pancreatic enzyme product to VIOKACE, monitor patients for clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and titrate the dosage as needed.

Recommended Dosage

Adult Patients:

The recommended oral initial starting dosage of VIOKACE is 500 lipase units/kg/meal.

If signs and symptoms of malabsorption persist, increase the dosage. Titrate to a maximum of either 2,500 lipase units/kg/meal, 10,000 lipase units/kg/day, or 4,000 lipase units/grams of fat ingested/day.

Preparation and Administration Instructions

Adult Patients:

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Take VIOKACE with meals or snacks. If a dose is missed, take the next dose with the next meal or snack.

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Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush or chew VIOKACE tablets.

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Consume sufficient liquids (water) to ensure complete swallowing of VIOKACE tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].