CREON

CREON® (pancrelipase) is a prescribed medication utilized for the treatment of individuals who experience difficulty digesting food properly due to insufficient enzyme production by the pancreas caused by conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, or other related conditions.

If you have undergone a complete pancreas removal surgery or if your pancreas has been affected by cancer, you will be required to take creon for the duration of your life.

If you take an excessive amount of pancreatic enzymes, any excess enzymes that your body doesn’t need will be excreted. Taking one or two extra capsules should not cause any issues, but taking a large amount more than necessary may result in itching around the anus.

Before taking this medication, it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history. This includes any previous episodes of sudden and severe swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), sudden deterioration of a long-term pancreatic disease, gout, kidney disease, high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia), and any intestinal problems you may have.

The average cost for a 30-count bottle of Creon, containing 6000-19000UNIT Capsule Delayed Release Particles each, is $123.45. However, you can purchase it at a discounted price of $70.00 by using the NowPatient Rx Advantage Card, which will save you 43%. We still recommend comparing prices even if this drug is covered by Medicare or your insurance.

To ensure CREON works as intended, it should be taken with every meal and snack. The digestive enzymes in CREON must mix with food and enter the stomach and small intestine simultaneously.

If your entire pancreas has been surgically removed or damaged by cancer, lifelong use of Creon is necessary. However, if only a portion of your pancreas has been removed, there is a possibility that it will regain its ability to produce sufficient enzymes as it recovers from surgery.

The price of Creon oral delayed release capsules (6000 units-19,000 units-30,000 units) is approximately $218 for a 100-capsule supply, varying by pharmacy. These prices are intended for customers paying in cash and are not applicable to insurance plans.

To ensure the effectiveness of Creon, it is advised to steer clear of non-acidic foods, alcohol, and hot beverages. Additionally, maintaining a consistent level of fat in your diet and avoiding excessive fiber intake is crucial.

Symptoms include stomach pain, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent or abnormal bowel movements, rectal itching, headache, dizziness, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, or changes in blood sugar levels.

You have the option to either swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water or open the capsules and mix the granules with soft food. If you choose to mix the granules with food, make sure to swallow the mixture immediately without chewing.

Take the capsules whole with a few sips of a cool drink. Avoid taking them with hot drinks as it may affect the effectiveness of the enzymes. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, seek advice on alternative methods.

Safety Precautions: Taking CREON may heighten the risk of developing fibrosing colonopathy, an uncommon bowel condition. It is important to inform your physician if you have a past medical history of intestinal blockage or scarring, thickening of your bowel wall, allergy to pork, gout, kidney issues, or worsening of painful and swollen joints.

Remember to take CREON with every meal and snack, regardless of whether it is a full meal or a snack. It is important to closely follow your treatment plan and take CREON exactly as prescribed. If you happen to miss a dose, do not take a double dose. Simply take it with your next meal or snack.

Some of the mild side effects that have been reported in individuals taking Creon for EPI caused by pancreatitis or pancreatectomy include experiencing abdominal pain and noticing changes in the appearance or frequency of bowel movements.

To maintain well-being, individuals with EPI should prioritize consuming a diverse and balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Whenever feasible, it is recommended to opt for minimally processed and fresh foods.

If you are still experiencing symptoms despite taking a sufficient dose of Creon, it may be beneficial to take additional medication to protect the supplements. Proton Pump Inhibitors, such as Omeprazole and Lansoprazole, can help reduce stomach acid and may be effective in alleviating your symptoms.

Clinical trials indicate that weight gain is not a common side effect of several pancrelipase brands, including Creon and Pancreaze. In fact, some individuals taking specific brands, such as Zenpep, have reported weight loss.

The most frequently reported side effects of CREON are hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, stomach pain, abnormal bowel movements, gas, vomiting, dizziness, sore throat, and cough.

If you take CREON without food, it will not work as expected. CREON is designed to be taken with every meal and snack because the digestive enzymes in CREON need to mix with food in order to properly enter the stomach and the small intestine at the same time.

If you have undergone a complete pancreas removal surgery or if your pancreas has been affected by cancer, you will be required to take creon for the duration of your life.

To properly ingest the capsules, they should be taken with foods that contain the necessary nutrients. However, there are certain foods that do not require pancreatic enzymes, such as one serving of fruit or dried fruit, and one serving of vegetables (excluding potatoes, avocados, and beans/pulses).

During Creon’s clinical trials, individuals who were administered the drug for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) resulting from pancreatitis or pancreatectomy frequently experienced gas as a side effect. Common symptoms associated with this side effect include abdominal pain or pressure and bloating.

CREON spheres dissolve in the duodenum, the initial section of the small intestine. Within the small intestine, CREON enzymes are responsible for the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates (sugars) found in ingested food.

To ensure CREON works as intended, it should be taken with every meal and snack. The digestive enzymes in CREON must mix with food and enter the stomach and small intestine simultaneously.

Stopping Creon suddenly can have various effects on the body, including malabsorption. When the necessary enzymes from Creon are no longer present, the body may have difficulty absorbing nutrients from food, resulting in deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals.

However, it is important to note that the majority of individuals tolerate digestive enzymes without any issues. Nevertheless, if you exceed the recommended dosage or take a high dose, you may experience digestive enzyme side effects. These side effects can include an upset stomach, stomach pains, cramping, and diarrhea.

The most frequently observed side effects consist of elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or reduced blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), abdominal pain, irregular or frequent bowel movements, gas, vomiting, dizziness, and a sore throat with coughing.

The effectiveness of CREON in improving fat absorption was evaluated in clinical studies, with noticeable improvements observed as early as 5-7 days after treatment. The CFF Guidelines recommend a maximum lipase dose of less than 4,000 units per gram of dietary fat consumed per day for individuals with EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency).

Creon is only available as a brand-name drug and does not have a generic version. Generic drugs are identical copies of the active drug in a brand-name medication and are typically less expensive.

Although it effectively manages diarrhea, the medication is quite costly. However, when taken with a meal, it leads to gas bloating. As a result, I am currently trying out taking it 30-60 minutes before meals, which appears to be effective. The only drawback is that I always need to be aware of my next mealtime in order to take the pills in advance.

Creon (pancrelipase) is a medication that contains lipase, protease, and amylase enzymes. These enzymes are naturally produced by the pancreas and play a crucial role in breaking down fats, proteins, and sugars during digestion. Creon is prescribed to individuals with pancreatic damage, such as those with cystic fibrosis or chronic conditions, to replace these essential enzymes.

Before taking this medication, it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history. This includes any previous episodes of sudden and severe swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), sudden deterioration of a long-term pancreatic disease, gout, kidney disease, high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia), and any intestinal problems you may have.

Pancrelipase delayed-release capsules, also known as Pancreaze, Pertzye, and Zenpep, and pancrelipase tablets, known as Viokace.

Creon is only available as a brand-name drug and does not have a generic version. Generic drugs are identical copies of the active drug in a brand-name medication and are typically less expensive.