Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Nutrizym 22
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Nutrizym 22
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each capsule contains Pancreatin BP 313 mg with not less than the following activities. Lipase 22,000 BP Units, Protease 1,100 BP Units and Amylase 19,800 BP Units.
Excipients with known effect: Castor oil 3.48mg per capsule
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Hard gelatin red and yellow capsule containing enteric coated pancreatin minitablets for oral administration.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the symptomatic relief of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency such as in fibrocystic disease of the pancreas and chronic pancreatitis.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
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.
4.3 Contraindications
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.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
In several patients with cystic fibrosis (including
children), high doses of pancreatin caused fibrosing
colonopathy (narrowing of the colon and ileocecal part of the intestine). If symptoms of ileus occur in patients taking pancreatin, fibrosing colonopathy should be
considered as potential cause.
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.
Hepatitis E virus infection
Despite measures taken during manufacturing to reduce the risk, the presence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in
medicinal products containing pancreas powder extracts of animal (porcine) origin is possible.
A cross-sectional study has suggested a higher HEV seroprevalence in patients with cystic fibrosis using
pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy than in
individuals who do not use pancreatin. This study is
subject to important limitations including uncertainty with regards to the timing of past infection, as well as the potential for other sources of HEV. As a precaution, immunosuppressed patients receiving high daily dosing should be advised about symptoms of viral hepatitis and to seek medical attention if such symptoms occur.
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’.
4.5 Interactions with other medicaments and other forms of interaction
When given concomitantly:
- Pancreatin may reduce the effect of acarbose and should, therefore, not be taken concomitantly.
- Calcium carbonate and/or magnesium hydroxide may reduce the effect of pancreatin.
- Cimetidine may potentiate the effect of pancreatin.
- Pancreatin may diminish folic acid absorption.
- Long term intake of pancreatin may diminish iron absorption.
4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation
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.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not known.
4.8 Undesirable effects
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:
| Organ system | Very common ≥ 1/10 | Common ≥ 1/100 to < 1/10 | Uncommon ≥ 1/1000 to < 1/100 | Frequency not known |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | abdominal pain* | nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal distention, diarrhoea | strictures of the ileo-caecum and large bowel (fibrosing colonopathy) including children with cystic fibrosis**, oral mucosa irritation | |
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | rash | pruritus, urticaria |
| Immune system disorders | hypersensitivity (anaphylactic reactions including urticaria and angioedema) | |||
Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Hyperuricemia | |||
Renal and urinary disorders | Hyperuricosuria* ** |
*Gastrointestinal disorders are mainly associated with the underlying disease. Similar or lower incidences compared to placebo were reported for abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
** See section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use *** Hyperuricosuria has been reported when high doses of pancreatin have been taken
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.
4.9 Overdose
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.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
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.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
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.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Preclinical data are not available.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Uncoated minitablets:
Castor Oil (hydrogenated) Silicon dioxide, colloidal
Magnesium stearate
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose Microcrystalline cellulose
Minitablet coating:
Simethicone emulsion
Methacrylic acid copolymer, type C (Eudragit L30D) Talc
Triethyl citrate
Gelatin capsules:
Titanium dioxide
Iron oxide, red
Iron oxide, yellow
Gelatin
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not known.
6.3 Shelf life
18 months.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25 °C in tightly closed containers.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Polyethylene or polypropylene containers with polyethylene tamper evident closures containing 50, 100, 200 or 500 capsules.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
Not relevant.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Zentiva Pharma UK Limited,
12 New Fetter Lane,
London,
EC4A 1JP, United Kingdom
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
PL 17780/1025
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE
AUTHORISATION
17 August 1992
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
21/08/2026