For the symptomatic relief of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency such as in fibrocystic disease of the pancreas and chronic pancreatitis.

Posology

Adults (including elderly) and Paediatric population

1-2 capsules with meals and 1 capsule with snacks.

Since the individual response to pancreatin supplements is variable, the number of capsules taken may need to be titrated to the individual according to symptoms and at the discretion of the physician. Dose increase, if required should be added slowly with careful monitoring of response and symptomatology.

Colonic damage has been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis taking in excess of 10,000 units of lipase/kg/day. The dose of Nutrizym 22 should usually not exceed this dose.

Where a patient is already receiving a lower unit dose enteric coated pancreatic supplement, then Nutrizym 22 may be substituted at 1/2 of the number of capsules normally consumed with the previous preparation.

Method of administration

Capsules should be swallowed whole with water. Where swallowing of capsules proves to be difficult, the minitablets may be removed and taken with water or with a small amount of acidic fluid or soft food, but without chewing. This could be apple sauce or yoghurt or any fruit juice with acidic pH (a pH less than 5.5), e.g. apple, orange or pineapple juice. If the minitablets are mixed with fluid or food, it is important that they are taken immediately and the mixture not stored, otherwise dissolution of the enteric coating may result. In order to protect the enteric coating, it is important that the minitablets are not crushed or chewed. Crushing and chewing of the minitablets or mixing with food or fluid with alkaline pH can disrupt the protective enteric coating. This can result in early release of enzymes in the oral cavity and may lead to reduced efficacy and irritation of the mucous membranes. Care should be taken to ensure that no product is retained in the mouth.

Adequate patient hydration should be ensured at all times whilst treating with Nutrizym 22.

In children aged 15 years and under with cystic fibrosis. Hypersensitivity to the active substance (porcine pancreatin) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Hyperuricaemia and hyperuricosuria have been reported to occur in cystic fibrosis patients; pancreatin extracts contain a small amount of purine which might, in high doses, contribute to this condition.

Important information about the ingredients of Nutrizym 22

Nutrizym 22 contains castor oil which may cause stomach upset and diarrhoea.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

None known.

Pregnancy

For pancreatic enzymes no clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Animal studies show no evidence for any absorption of porcine pancreatic enzymes. Therefore, no reproductive or developmental toxicity is to be expected. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women.

Lactation

No effects on the suckling child are anticipated since animal studies suggest no systemic exposure of the breast-feeding woman to pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic enzymes can be used during breast-feeding.

If required during pregnancy or lactation, pancreatin should be used in doses sufficient to provide adequate nutritional status.

Not known.

In clinical trials, more than 900 patients were exposed to pancreatin. The most commonly reported adverse reactions were gastrointestinal disorders and were primarily mild or moderate in severity.

The following adverse reactions have been observed during clinical trials with the below indicated frequencies:

*Gastrointestinal disorders are mainly associated with the underlying disease. Similar or lower incidences compared to placebo were reported for abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Allergic reactions mainly, but not exclusively, limited to the skin have been observed and identified as adverse reactions during post-approval use. Because these reactions were reported spontaneously from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency.

As with any pancreatin extract, high doses may cause buccal and perianal irritation, in some cases resulting in inflammation.

Stricture of the ileo-caecum and large bowel, and colitis have been reported in children with cystic fibrosis taking Nutrizym 22 (see section 4.4). Abdominal symptoms (those not usually experienced by the patient) or changes in abdominal symptoms should be reviewed to exclude the possibility of colonic damage - especially if the patient is taking in excess of 10,000 units of lipase/kg/day.

Paediatric population

No specific adverse reactions were identified in the paediatric population. Frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions were similar in children with cystic fibrosis as compared to adults.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Inappropriately large doses could result in abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and perianal irritation or inflammation. Extremely high doses of pancreatin have been reported to be associated with hyperuricosuria and hyperuricaemia. Refer to section 4.8 for the potential side-effects of high doses of pancreatic enzymes in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Supportive measures including stopping enzyme therapy and ensuring adequate rehydration are recommended.

The active ingredient is a preparation of porcine pancreas with lipase, amylase and protease activity. Lipase enzymes hydrolyse fats to glycerol and fatty acids. Amylase converts starch into dextrins and sugars and protease enzymes change proteins into proteoses and derived substances.

The active ingredient of Nutrizym 22 is pancreatin which is a substance involved in the digestive process. During the enzymatic degradation of food substances the enzymes themselves are degraded. Any breakdown products are those that would be expected to appear following normal digestion.

Preclinical data are not available.

Uncoated mini tablets:

Castor Oil (hydrogenated)

Silicon dioxide,

Colloidal Magnesium stearate

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose

Mini tablet coating:

Simethicone emulsion

Methacrylic acid copolymer,

Type C (Eudragit L30D) Talc

Triethyl citrate

Gelatin capsules:

Titanium dioxide

Iron oxide, red Iron oxide, yellow Gelatin

Not known.

18 months

Store below 25° C in tightly closed containers.

Polyethylene or polypropylene containers with polyethylene tamper evident closures containing 50, 100, 200 or 500 capsules.

Not relevant.