Pancrelipase
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Pancrelipase during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Pancrelipase for pets in Perth
(pan-kree-lih-pase)
Description:
This medicine is a mix of digestive helpers (enzymes) that normally come from the pancreas.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Viokase®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals (veterinary):
- A powder form is available. Each teaspoon (2.8 g) contains lipase 71,400 Units, protease 388,000 Units, and amylase 460,000 Units.
- Tablets and capsules may also be available.
- For people (human):
- Capsules, tablets, and powders exist that contain lipase, protease, and amylase, but the amounts vary.
Key Information
- Pancrelipase powder, or tablets that have been crushed, is combined into your pet’s food so it can help break down food during digestion.
- Many cats dislike the flavor of the powder. For some cats, it is easier to give a solid form instead (tablets or capsules that are enteric-coated, meaning they have a special coating, or capsules made using powder or crushed tablets). Some cats may accept food mixed with one veterinary powder brand but refuse a different brand.
- Use only products that are labeled for animals. Versions made for people are not as strong, so they may not work as well.
- If you are giving tablets or capsules, make sure your animal eats food or drinks water right after the dose. This helps lower the chance of injury to the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (the esophagus).
- Be careful not to breathe in the powder. It can irritate the lungs and can make asthma worse. If the powder touches your skin, rinse it off right away and contact your doctor.
- Anyone with a serious allergy to pork should not handle this product.
How is this medication useful?
This medicine is used in animals when the pancreas is not making enough digestive enzymes. In those cases, it can be used to help with diarrhea and poor nutrition (malnutrition). In rabbits, it is also used to help break apart fur balls.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Share the following information with your veterinarian so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines can affect pancrelipase. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine reactions or side effects your animal has had, including allergic reactions, reduced appetite, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine is expected to begin working within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you usually will not be able to see the effect directly. Your veterinarian may need to do additional tests to check whether it is working the way it should. The effect does not last long and is expected to wear off within 24 hours.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
- Animals that are allergic to this medicine or to pork products.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:
- Animals that have sores in the mouth or in the esophagus, or that have gum disease.
If your animal has any of these issues, talk with your veterinarian about the possible benefits compared with the possible risks.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- If the dose is very high, it can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, a lot of gas, and stomach cramps.
- It can cause bleeding in the mouth, irritation in the mouth and throat, and sores in the esophagus. If you are giving tablets or capsules, give food or water right after the dose. If you are using powder mixed into food, make sure the powder has been dampened before you offer the food to your animal.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work, it must be given exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. Always read the prescription label so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Powder pancrelipase, or tablets that have been crushed, is mixed into food.
- Cats are often reported to dislike the powder taste. Solid forms may be easier for some cats (enteric-coated tablets or capsules made from powder or crushed tablets). Some cats will accept food mixed with one veterinary powder brand but refuse another.
- If you are giving capsules or tablets, make sure your animal eats food or drinks water right after the dose. This helps reduce the chance of damage to the esophagus.
- When this medicine is used in rabbits to help break down fur balls, the powder is often mixed into yogurt.
- If you are having trouble giving the medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas on how to give it and how to make medicine time less stressful.
- Animals often stay on this medicine for a long time, and many need it for life. Give it as directed on the label and request refills when needed. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, mix it into the food at the next feeding. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine at room temperature. Store it in a dry place, in a tightly closed container.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- Breathing in the powder can irritate the throat and lungs and may set off an asthma attack. Do not breathe in the powder, and do not allow your animal to breathe it in.
- If pancrelipase powder touches skin, it can irritate or burn. Wash it off right away if it gets on your skin or your animal’s skin.
- If powder gets into the eyes, rinse the eyes with water for several minutes and contact your doctor.
- People with severe pork allergies should not handle this product.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, then place it in the regular trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Do not change your animal’s food while using this medicine unless your veterinarian tells you to.
- After your animal’s diarrhea improves, your veterinarian may suggest lowering the dose to the smallest amount that still prevents diarrhea and supports weight gain.
- Pancrelipase products also exist for people. These have lower strength than animal products and are not recommended.
- In some animal competitions, using this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while this medicine is being given.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
Pancrelipase for pets in Perth