8 Pancrelipase Side Effects You Should Know About

Pancrelipase is a prescription medication used to treat pancreatic insufficiency. Without it, this digestion-related health condition can lead to stomach pain, nutritional issues, and a poorer quality of life. So if your body can’t make enough digestive enzymes to break down food on its own, this treatment can step in and make your digestive efforts more efficient.

At the pharmacy, pancrelipase is available as several name-brand products. Zenpep, Creon, and Viokace are common, but Pertyze and Pancreaze are also available. You can take these pancrelipase pills by mouth with a meal or snack to help get your food where it needs to go.

While pancrelipase can help you skip the worrisome symptoms that come along with pancreatic insufficiency, a few side effects are possible. Some pancrelipase side effects are mild, while others are more severe. Below, we highlight eight of the top side effects you should keep in mind when taking pancrelipase.

1. Blood glucose changes

Glucose is the main sugar your body uses for energy. It’s mainly obtained from the food you eat. However, many outside factors can affect your blood glucose levels.

Pancrelipase can make your blood glucose levels go up or down. In clinical trials, up to 8% of people taking pancrelipase reported blood glucose changes. Some people experienced high blood glucose (hyperglycemia), while others had low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).

As your body gets used to pancrelipase, this side effect should stabilize. But since these effects can fluctuate, it’s a good idea to report any signs or symptoms of blood glucose changes to your healthcare provider. Symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia to watch out for are discussed in detail in another GoodRx Health article.

2. Stomach pain

Nobody likes stomach pain, especially when you aren’t sure what the cause is. But if you’re taking pancrelipase, it may be the culprit. In clinical trials, stomach pain was reported in up to 18% of people taking pancrelipase.

However, stomach pain is also a common symptom of pancreatic insufficiency. So it can be hard to figure out if the medication, condition, or both are causing your discomfort.

To be safe, make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any severe or unusual stomach pain. They can offer adjustments in your medication routine to help get your symptoms under control. They may also suggest avoiding large meals, following the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) diet, and drinking plenty of fluids. There are also several over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help ease an upset stomach.

3. Gassiness

There are many possible causes of gassiness, including medications. Up to 6% of people taking pancrelipase experienced gassiness in clinical trials.

If pancrelipase causes gassiness, small dietary changes can make a difference. But because your pancrelipase dose is based on the amount of fat in your diet, it’s important to not cut out too many things at once. Talk to your healthcare provider before making big changes to your diet.

Other ways to reduce gassiness while taking pancrelipase include:

• OTC medications, such as Gas-X (simethicone)

• Chewing your food more slowly

• Avoiding carbonated beverages

• Using a straw to drink

• Avoiding certain sugars, such as fructose, sucrose, and sorbitol

• Not smoking

• Keeping a food diary (to help you determine which foods make you feel gassy)

4. Bowel movement changes

Bowel habits are different for everyone. How often you have a bowel movement — and what your stools tend to look like — are unique to you. What’s more, many medications and foods can affect your bowel habits.

In clinical trials, about 4% of people taking pancrelipase reported having more frequent bowel movements. The majority of these cases included diarrhea.

If you notice changes in your bowel habits while taking pancrelipase, talk to your healthcare provider. They may suggest avoiding certain foods or taking an OTC anti-diarrhea medication like loperamide (Imodium A-D).

5. Headache

Headaches are a common discomfort that affect most people at some point. There are also many causes of headaches, including medications. In studies, up to 15% of people reported experiencing a headache while taking pancrelipase.

There are many at-home remedies you can consider for treating and preventing headaches, including:

• Staying hydrated

• Avoiding foods or ingredients that trigger headaches

• Reducing stress with breathing exercises or medication

• Exercising (such as resistance training, aerobic training, and yoga)

OTC pain relief medications are another option for easing headaches. Two popular choices for headache relief are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ask your healthcare provider if they’re safe for you to take.

6. Cough

Coughing is also possible with pancrelipase. Up to 10% of people taking pancrelipase in clinical studies reported coughing as an unintended side effect.

For starters, be sure to drink enough water. This underrated action can help relieve throat irritation and dryness that could be contributing to your symptoms. A humidifier can also help.

When needed, you can also ask your healthcare provider about OTC and prescription cough medicines to consider trying. And if your cough is long-lasting, ask them if there’s anything else you can do to get to the root of the problem.

7. Mouth irritation

Pancrelipase can cause mouth irritation. If it’s not swallowed right away, its protective coating can dissolve in your mouth. This can lead to mouth irritation and a less effective treatment.

Thankfully, mouth irritation from pancrelipase is often preventable. If you swallow your dose right away, you likely won’t experience it. It’s also important to take pancrelipase with enough liquid so you can swallow it quickly and completely. You shouldn’t crush or chew it, either.

Keep in mind: If you have difficulty swallowing medications whole, all brands of pancrelipase capsules can be opened and sprinkled onto a small amount of soft acidic food, such as applesauce. One exception to this is Viokace — it’s a tablet, so it must be swallowed whole.

8. Fibrosing colonopathy

Fibrosing colonopathy (FC) is a rare bowel disorder that can occur in certain people, typically children with cystic fibrosis. It can cause colon (large intestine) shortening, swelling, and scarring. This can lead to intense stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

It’s not common, but there are some reports of pancrelipase causing FC. It’s more likely to happen to kids with cystic fibrosis that take more than 10,000 lipase units per kg of pancrelipase every day.

Before taking pancrelipase, discuss any history of intestinal problems with your healthcare provider. You should also contact them if you have severe or unusual stomach pains. These are possible symptoms of this serious condition.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about pancrelipase side effects?

Many of pancelipase’s side effects are mild, but some can be serious. Some of them can also mimic symptoms of other conditions, including pancreatic insufficiency itself. Since the line between them can be blurry, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider right away if you’re experiencing any side effects that are worrisome or don’t go away.

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Written by:

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD, MS

Cassandra Pardini has been a freelance medical writer for 7 years. In that time, she has concentrated on publishing articles on medication-related information for healthcare professionals and patients.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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