Viokase 16 (Digestive Enzymes)

What is Viokase 16?

Viokase, a gastrointestinal agent, is a combination of protease, lipase, amylase and other pancreatic enzymes. The medication contains digestive enzymes, which are natural substances required by the body to breakdown and digest food. It is used when the pancreas cannot or does not release enough digestive enzymes into the gut to digest food.

What is Viokase 16 used for?

Viokase is used when the pancreas does not generate sufficient digestive enzymes into the gut for the digestion of food.  It is also used after the gastrointestinal bypass surgery and pancreas removal to help in the digestion of proteins, starch and fats.

The medication is also used to treat patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, and intestinal blockages caused by cancer.

How does Viokase 16 work?

Viokase has natural digestive enzymes, which hydrolyze fats into fatty acids, proteins into amino acids, and carbohydrates into dextrins and sugar.

How to use Viokase 16

Use Viokase as per the instructions of your doctor and check the label of medicine to follow the exact dosage instructions. Take Viokase orally with each meal or snack as suggested by your doctor.

Do not crush, chew or break the tablet. Swallow it at once. If you have problems swallowing the capsule, open the capsule and mash the contents with any soft food (or a paste like substance) and swallow it immediately. Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods like milk and its products.

You can take the medicine with a glass full of water or other fluid. Do not inhale any powder of Viokase, as it may cause irritation of throat or nose.

Viokase 16 warnings and precautions

Do not take this medication, if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including pork proteins.

Consult your doctor before taking Viokase if you have high uric acid levels, gout, a history of kidney troubles, pancreas problems, stomach or bowel irritations, or asthma.

You are advised not to change the brands or dosage forms of this medicine without telling your doctor. Do not take the medicine in larger amounts than recommended, as it may result into serious condition called fibrosing colonopathy.

If you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breast feeding, take suggestion from your doctor before taking Viokase, as its effect on fetus or a nursing baby is not known.

Avoid consuming alcohol during the course of this medication.

What do I do if I have missed a Viokase 16 dose?

If you have missed your Viokase dose, you should skip the missed dose and go back to your routine again. Never take double dose at one time.

What do I do if I have taken a Viokase 16 overdose?

If you have taken a Viokase overdose, you should take the help of your local medical emergency room.

Viokase 16 interactions

Before starting with the Viokase treatment, you must talk to your doctor if you take any prescribed or non-prescribed medicines, including vitamins, herbal preparation, iron supplements and other dietary supplements alongside.

Ask your doctor if you have allergies to food, medicines or other substances, including pancreatin, pancrelipase or trypsin. Viokase is expected to interact with the drugs like acarbose and miglitol. Drugs containing calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, should be taken with the suggestion of your doctor. Acid blocking ulcer medications like famotidine and rantidine are said to interact seriously with Viokase, therefore, your doctor must be informed if you are on this course of medication before prescribing you Viokase.

Viokase 16 side effects

Some of the serious side effects from Viokase are allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue, difficulty in breathing. Severe or unusual stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or severe persistent loose stools, constipation are very serious Viokase side effects which could be the symptoms of a rare but severe bowel disorder. If such symptoms persist, consult your doctor right away.

Some of the less serious side effects of Viokase are mild pain or upset stomach, bloating or gas, rectal irritation, cough, headache, dizziness, greasy stools, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, nausea or vomiting.