Comprehensive medication guide to Pancreaze including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$60 copay on most commercial plans; Pancreaze is covered on approximately 81% of commercial plans as of January 2026. Prior authorization may be required. The Pancreaze Savings Card (updated Feb 2026) allows eligible commercially insured patients to pay as little as $0 per fill.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$93–$1,571 retail per 100 capsules depending on strength (2,600–37,000 lipase units); as low as $140.29 per fill with GoodRx Gold for select strengths. No FDA-approved generic available.
Medfinder Findability Score
65/100
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Pancreaze (pancrelipase) is an FDA-approved prescription pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in adults and children, including infants. It was first approved by the FDA in April 2010 and is currently manufactured by VIVUS LLC.
EPI is a condition in which the pancreas cannot produce sufficient digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Common causes include cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatectomy. Without adequate enzyme replacement, EPI causes steatorrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies.
Pancreaze contains a mixture of porcine-derived lipase, protease, and amylase delivered in enteric-coated microtablets inside delayed-release capsules. It is available in six strengths (2,600 through 37,000 lipase units per capsule) and uses a phthalate-free formulation across all doses. Pancreaze must be taken with every meal and snack.
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Pancreaze is an enzyme replacement therapy that works locally in the digestive tract. When you swallow a Pancreaze capsule with a meal, the capsule releases hundreds of enteric-coated microtablets into the stomach. These microtablets resist dissolution in the stomach's acid environment (pH < 5.5) and pass into the small intestine, where the pH rises and the enteric coating dissolves — releasing the enzymes exactly where digestion occurs.
The three enzymes in Pancreaze each perform a specific digestive function: lipase breaks down dietary fats into fatty acids and glycerol; protease breaks proteins into peptides and amino acids; and amylase breaks carbohydrates into sugars. Together, they replicate the normal digestive action of healthy pancreatic secretions, enabling the body to absorb nutrients from food.
Pancrelipase is minimally absorbed systemically — the enzymes act within the GI tract and do not circulate through the bloodstream. This means Pancreaze has very few systemic drug interactions and is generally safe in pregnancy. The lipases, proteases, and amylases are not substrates of CYP450 enzymes, and CYP-mediated drug interactions are not expected.
2,600 lipase units — delayed-release capsule
MT 2 — lowest strength; often used for infants or very low-dose titration
4,200 lipase units — delayed-release capsule
MT 4 — low strength for infants, young children, or low-dose maintenance
10,500 lipase units — delayed-release capsule
MT 10 — commonly prescribed mid-range strength
16,800 lipase units — delayed-release capsule
MT 16 — commonly prescribed mid-range strength
21,000 lipase units — delayed-release capsule
MT 21 — higher strength for patients with higher fat intake or body weight
37,000 lipase units — delayed-release capsule
MT 37 — highest strength; for patients requiring the highest lipase doses
Pancreaze is not currently on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026, and VIVUS reports coverage on 81% of commercial insurance plans. However, patients may encounter intermittent stockouts at individual pharmacies — particularly for specific strengths — due to high daily usage volumes (patients take Pancreaze with every meal and snack), the absence of generic competition, and supply pressure from the broader PERT market.
Pancreaze comes in six strengths, and not every pharmacy stocks all of them. Independent and specialty pharmacies often have better inventory flexibility than large chains. Patients who refill proactively (5–7 days before running out) and maintain a backup pharmacy relationship generally experience fewer access disruptions.
To find Pancreaze in stock near you without calling around, use medfinder — a service that contacts pharmacies in your area to find which ones can fill your specific strength, and texts you the results.
Pancreaze is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority — without special DEA registration. It is typically prescribed and managed by specialists familiar with EPI and its underlying causes.
Prescriber types who commonly prescribe Pancreaze include:
Telehealth is available for Pancreaze follow-up management, dose adjustments, and refills for established EPI patients. Initial diagnosis typically requires in-person testing (fecal elastase-1 levels) that cannot be done via telehealth. Once a diagnosis is established, ongoing management can often be conducted remotely.
No. Pancreaze (pancrelipase) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled under the DEA Controlled Substances Act. It can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority — including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — without special DEA registration or scheduling requirements.
There are no refill restrictions related to controlled substance scheduling. Pancreaze prescriptions can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically, and refills can be prescribed in advance. Prescriptions can be for 30-day or 90-day supplies depending on insurance plan rules and pharmacy agreements.
The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal in nature:
Serious side effects are rare but important to recognize:
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Creon (pancrelipase)
Most widely prescribed PERT in the U.S., manufactured by AbbVie. Available in 3,000–60,000 lipase unit strengths. Not interchangeable with Pancreaze — requires new prescription with dose recalculation.
Zenpep (pancrelipase)
Enteric-coated PERT by Aimmune. Available in 3,000–40,000 lipase unit strengths. Wide range of doses offers good flexibility for matching equivalent doses when switching.
Pertzye (pancrelipase)
Bicarbonate-buffered enteric-coated PERT by Digestive Care. Available in 8,000–24,000 lipase units. Unique formulation may benefit patients with altered gastric pH.
Viokace (pancrelipase)
Non-enteric coated PERT by Aimmune. Requires concurrent PPI use. Approved for chronic pancreatitis and pancreatectomy — generally not first-line for CF patients.
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Acarbose (Precose)
moderatePancreaze amylase may counteract acarbose's blood sugar-lowering mechanism. Avoid combination or consult prescriber about alternative diabetes management.
Antacids (calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
moderateMay reduce Pancreaze effectiveness by altering intestinal pH and interfering with enteric coating dissolution timing.
Iron supplements (ferrous fumarate, ferric maltol)
moderatePancrelipase may inhibit GI absorption of oral iron supplements. Monitor iron levels; consider separating doses.
Allopurinol / Febuxostat
moderateHigh-dose Pancreaze may increase uric acid levels and potentially antagonize gout medications. Monitor uric acid in patients with gout, kidney disease, or hyperuricemia.
Miglitol
moderateSimilar to acarbose interaction — Pancreaze enzymes may reduce miglitol's efficacy. Discuss alternative diabetes therapy with prescriber.
Pancreaze is a critical medication for people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency — without it, patients cannot properly digest food or absorb nutrients. It is FDA-approved, well-studied, and available in six strengths to allow precise dosing. The medication's enteric-coated microtablet design and phthalate-free formulation across all strengths make it a clinically well-regarded PERT option.
While Pancreaze is not currently in an FDA-declared shortage, patients may encounter intermittent local availability issues due to the complex supply dynamics of the five-brand PERT market. Proactive refilling, maintaining a backup pharmacy relationship, and knowing your alternative PERT options are the best strategies for ensuring uninterrupted access.
When you need help finding Pancreaze in stock near you, medfinder contacts pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones can fill your specific Pancreaze strength, and texts you the results. For patients who take Pancreaze every day with every meal, having a reliable access strategy isn't optional — it's essential.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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