Viokace (pancrelipase) Tablets

Viokace is a prescription pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) tablet that helps digest food when the pancreas does not make enough enzymes. This page summarizes how pancrelipase tablets are used, what the label emphasizes for day-to-day use, and the safety topics people often want clarified. BorderFreeHealth supports access with US shipping from Canada using a cash-pay pathway for people without insurance.

It also explains practical points like how strengths are labeled, what to store and carry when traveling, and which symptoms should prompt a call to a healthcare professional. Information here is general and should be read alongside the official prescribing information.

What Viokace Is and How It Works

This medicine contains pancrelipase, a mixture of digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) sourced from pork. Enzyme replacement is used when the pancreas cannot release enough enzymes into the small intestine, which can lead to greasy stools, bloating, weight loss, and trouble absorbing nutrients. By supplying enzymes with food, the therapy supports breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates so they can be absorbed more normally.

The tablets act locally in the digestive tract rather than treating pain or inflammation directly. Because the product is not enteric-coated, stomach acid can reduce enzyme activity before it reaches the intestine. For that reason, prescribers sometimes pair it with acid-suppressing therapy, depending on the clinical situation and the label. Consistency with meals and snacks is often central to how enzyme replacement is evaluated.

Prescriptions are confirmed with the prescriber before a partner pharmacy dispenses.

Who It’s For

Pancrelipase therapy is prescribed for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a condition in which the pancreas does not produce or deliver enough digestive enzymes. Causes can include chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery, and EPI may be managed alongside other gastrointestinal concerns. For broader context on the condition, the Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency hub is a browseable collection of related items and resources.

At a high level, clinicians consider enzyme replacement when symptoms suggest malabsorption (poor absorption of nutrients), such as frequent loose stools, oily stools, excess gas, or unintended weight changes. It may not be appropriate for everyone. People with known hypersensitivity to pork proteins or to any component of the product should not use porcine-derived pancrelipase. A healthcare professional may also reassess therapy during acute pancreatic flare-ups or when severe abdominal symptoms need evaluation for another cause.

Dosage and Usage

Viokace dosing is individualized by the prescriber and guided by the product label, the underlying cause of EPI, meal patterns, and symptom response. The medicine is taken with meals and snacks so enzymes are present when food reaches the small intestine. Tablets are swallowed whole with liquid; they should not be crushed or chewed because this can irritate the mouth and may reduce effectiveness. If a dose is missed, directions on the label and clinician instructions should be followed rather than doubling up.

Reading the label with real-life meals

Enzyme products are labeled in enzyme activity units, and the label directions often reference how many units are taken per meal and per snack. In practice, people may eat differently from day to day, which can complicate adherence. Keeping a simple record of meal timing, symptoms, and any trouble swallowing tablets can help a clinician determine whether the regimen still matches current eating habits. Any changes should be made by a prescriber, since high total exposure can raise safety concerns.

Quick tip: Keep doses with the foods they’re intended for (meals and snacks).

Medications are supplied through licensed Canadian partner pharmacies in our referral network.

Strengths and Forms

Viokace is supplied as oral tablets and is commonly discussed by its lipase-unit strength, which reflects the lipase activity per tablet. Availability can vary by pharmacy and by what is authorized on the prescription. Because this product is not enteric-coated, the overall regimen may also include an acid-suppressing medicine when clinically appropriate.

The label strength can be helpful when comparing products or when documenting what was dispensed. It’s still important to follow the prescription directions rather than converting between brands without guidance, since formulations and release characteristics can differ across pancreatic enzyme products.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store pancrelipase tablets according to the package labeling, typically at controlled room temperature and protected from moisture. Keep the container tightly closed and avoid storing it in places with frequent humidity swings, such as bathrooms or near kitchen sinks. Tablets can be sensitive to heat, so they should not be left in a hot car, near heaters, or in direct sunlight.

Why it matters: Heat and moisture can reduce enzyme activity over time.

For travel, carrying the medicine in its original container can help with identification and includes key instructions if questions come up. If a dose organizer is used, consider how it will be protected from humidity during the day. People who take multiple digestive or acid-suppressing medicines may also find it useful to keep a current medication list in their phone or wallet for urgent care visits.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects with pancreatic enzyme replacement can include gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach discomfort, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or gas. Because many people using enzyme therapy already have digestive symptoms from EPI or chronic pancreatitis, it can be hard to tell what is disease-related versus medication-related without tracking changes over time. The Chronic Pancreatitis Guide offers additional background that can help frame conversations with a clinician.

More serious risks are uncommon but important. Allergic reactions can occur, including rash, swelling, or breathing difficulty, and require urgent medical attention. High total enzyme exposure has been associated with fibrosing colonopathy (scarring and narrowing of the colon), a rare but serious condition discussed in class labeling. Pancrelipase may also affect uric acid levels, which matters for people with gout or kidney disease. Viokace safety monitoring is individualized, so new or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting, or persistent constipation should be reviewed promptly by a healthcare professional.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Pancrelipase has fewer classic “drug interactions” than many systemic medicines because it works in the gut, but the full regimen often includes other therapies that can change tolerance or symptom patterns. Acid-suppressing medicines may be part of the plan with non-enteric-coated enzymes. For general background on one option, see the Famotidine 20 Mg Guide as a resource to discuss with a clinician.

Several health conditions can influence how therapy is monitored, including diabetes, gout, and kidney disease. Changes in stool patterns, appetite, or weight may also overlap with blood sugar shifts and nutrition status. The Pancreas And Diabetes article provides broader context that can be useful when coordinating care across gastroenterology and endocrinology. Always share a complete medication list, including over-the-counter products and supplements, so a prescriber can evaluate whether the overall plan still fits current needs.

Compare With Alternatives

Viokace is one of several pancrelipase products used for EPI, and alternatives may differ by dosage form and release characteristics. Many commonly used options are enteric-coated capsules designed to protect enzymes from stomach acid, which can change whether acid suppression is needed. For a representative comparison, the Creon Overview page describes another pancreatic enzyme replacement product with a different formulation approach.

Some people are prescribed an acid-suppressing medicine alongside non-enteric-coated enzymes; one example is lansoprazole, described on the Prevacid Overview page. For deeper reading on how enzyme products are discussed, these resources may help: Pancreaze And Creon Comparison, Creon Versus Other Options, and Creon Alternatives Overview. Any switch or conversion should be managed by a prescriber using the relevant product labeling.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket costs for enzyme replacement therapy can vary based on strength, quantity, and the dispensing pharmacy. For Viokace, some people use a cash-pay option, including those without insurance, when coverage is limited or prior authorization is challenging. The article Creon Costs And Coverage provides general context on the kinds of factors that can influence enzyme therapy expenses across the category.

Because this is a prescription product, a valid prescription is required, and the dispensing team may verify details with the prescriber before fulfillment. BorderFreeHealth can also share available program information at Program Details when applicable. Cash-pay access can help when insurance coverage is limited.

Authoritative Sources

For full prescribing details, dosing limits, and boxed warnings (if applicable), consult official references alongside clinician guidance. These sources are useful for confirming label language and safety considerations.

Read the FDA listing and label details via DailyMed (NLM) drug labeling.

Review regulatory safety communications through FDA Drugs.

See patient-focused background on pancrelipase at MedlinePlus pancrelipase information.

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.