What is Creon?

Creon is a prescription medication used for the treatment of pancreatic enzyme deficiencies. It contains a combination of digestive enzymes, including lipase, protease, and amylase, which are essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Creon helps to supplement the natural enzymes produced by the pancreas, aiding in the breakdown and digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is commonly prescribed for individuals with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, or after pancreatic surgery. The dosage and usage instructions for Creon should be determined by a healthcare professional based on an individual’s specific needs and digestive requirements.

Creon
Creon
Amylase, Lipase, Protease
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Creon 25
Amylase, Lipase, Protease
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Cotazym
Amylase, Lipase, Protease
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Cotazym ECS 20
Amylase, Lipase, Protease
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Cotazym ECS 8
Amylase, Lipase, Protease
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What is Creon?

Creon, also known as pancrelipase, belongs to a group of medications known as enzymes or digestants. The production of enzymes is hindered in people with certain conditions. Theses include:

  • cystic fibrosis
  • pancreatitis
  • pancreatic disease

People with reduced enzyme production take Creon to aid their digestion.

How it works

Creon consists of three main enzyme groups: lipases, proteases, and amylases. This combination is usually produced by the pancreas to help the body with the digestion of sugars, fat, and protein.

Appearance and Ingredients

Creon comes in a variety of forms.

Creon Minimicrospheres Micro comes in a bottle containing 20 grams of round, gastro-resistant granules (minimicrospheres) that are light brown in color. Each spoonful (100 mg) contains:

  • 5,000 units of lipase
  • 5,100 units of amylase
  • 320 units of protease

The bottle will come with a dosing spoon.

Creon Minimicrospheres 6 is a gelatin capsule with an orange and opaque cap. Each capsule is imprinted with “CREON 1206” and contains granules that are a brownish color. Each capsule contains:

  • 6,000 units of lipase
  • 30,000 units of amylase
  • 19,000 units of protease

The nonmedicinal ingredients include:

  • Cetyl alcohol
  • Dimethicone 1000
  • FD&C Blue No. 2
  • Gelatin
  • Hypromellose phthalate
  • Iron oxides
  • Macrogol 4000
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Triethyl citrate

Creon Minimicrospheres 10 have opaque brown caps and transparent bodies. They contain brownish granules consisting of:

  • 10,000 units of lipase
  • 11,200 units of amylase
  • 730 units of protease.

The nonmedicinal ingredients include:

  • Cetyl alcohol
  • Dimethicone 1000
  • Gelatin
  • Hypromellose phthalate
  • Iron oxides
  • Macrogol 4000
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Triethyl citrate

Creon Minimicrospheres 25 have opaque orange caps and transparent bodies. They contain brownish granules consisting of:

  • 25,000 units of lipase
  • 25,500 units of amylase
  • 1,600 units of protease.

The nonmedicinal ingredients include:

  • Cetyl alcohol
  • Dimethicone 1000
  • Gelatin
  • Hypromellose phthalate
  • Iron oxides
  • Macrogol 4000
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Triethyl citrate

Dosage

You should take Creon exactly as you have been instructed by your doctor, or as stated on the label. You should take different amounts or use it for longer than you have been advised.

Do not change to a different brand of this medication, unless your doctor has agreed to it. It is recommended that you use the same brand of Creon each time you get a refill as different manufacturers have different ways of producing it.

When giving Creon to a child, you should follow the instructions carefully.

If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Creon tablets should not be broken up, chewed, or crushed. They should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. If not swallowed properly, Creon can irritate the inside of the mouth. If you find it difficult to swallow the capsule, you can open it up and sprinkle it over a little bit of soft, acidic food, like apple sauce or yogurt. In that case, you should swallow it straight away and should not chew it. Creon should not be mixed with breast milk or baby formula.

The medicine from a Creon capsule should not be inhaled as it can irritate your nose and lungs. It can also irritate if it touches the skin.

A stomach acid reducer, such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, or Protonix, is often given with Creon. In all cases, you should follow your doctor’s directions and take all prescribed medications to treat your condition.

The dose your doctor recommends for you will depend upon your condition and how your body responds to nutrients from what you eat. Your dose may also change according to your weight.

Creon is normally taken 3 times a day, either with food or directly after having food. This means the enzymes contained within the medication will mix with your food and be digested with it.

Overdose

You should not exceed the dosage of Creon recommended by your doctor. An overdose of Creon can result in side effects, like:

  • fibrosing colonopathy (scarring or narrowing in your colon)
  • having a high level of uric acid in your blood

If you think you may have taken too much Creon, you should contact your doctor. If you have serious symptoms after an overdose of Creon, you should go to the nearest emergency room.

Side effects

If you are concerned about experiencing side effects from taking Creon, you should talk it over with your doctor and weigh up the risks against the benefits. Many of these side effects may disappear over time or can be managed. Your pharmacist should be able to make recommendations for managing these side effects, however, you should contact your doctor if they become severe or significantly uncomfortable.

The side effects of Creon are not experienced by everyone who takes it, but at least 1% of people taking this medication have experienced those listed below.

  • bloating
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • sore throat and cough
  • vomiting

More serious side effects

These serious side effects are rare but can cause serious issues if they are not addressed. If you experience any of these, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

  • abdominal pain
  • hives
  • itching
  • signs of gout, such as:
    • joint pain
    • swelling of joints
    • warmth of joints
  • symptoms of high blood sugar, such as:
    • frequent urination
    • increased thirst
    • excessive eating
    • unexplained weight loss
    • poor wound healing
    • infections
    • fruity breath odor
  • symptoms of low blood sugar, such as:
    • cold sweat
    • cool pale skin
    • headache
    • fast heartbeat
    • weakness
  • rash

Side effects requiring urgent medical attention

If you experience any of the following side effects, discontinue the treatment and immediately seek the attention of a medical professional.

  • signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as:
    • abdominal cramps
    • difficulty breathing
    • nausea and vomiting
    • swelling of the face and throat

Side effects other than those listed above are possible. If any symptoms develop that worry you whilst taking Creon, you should discuss them with your doctor.

Warnings & Precautions

Always check the ingredients of any medication you take for anything you may be allergic to. You should not take Creon if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.

Make sure your doctor is aware of any medical conditions or allergies you have as this may impact whether or not they recommend Creon for you.

You should not take Creon if you are:

  • allergic to:
    • porcine (pork) protein
    • pancreatic enzymes
    • any of this medication’s ingredients
  • are experiencing a recurrence of pancreatitis

If you find that your long-term pancreas problem is getting worse, you should contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Creon may interact with any of the following drugs, so you should let your doctor know or seek guidance from your pharmacist if you are taking any of them.

  • iron supplements, such as:
    • ferrous fumarate
    • ferrous gluconate
    • ferrous sulfate
  • multivitamin plus mineral supplements

Bowel problems

Narrowing of the large intestine can occur in patients taking Creon, especially if they have cystic fibrosis. This can damage the large bowel, so if you notice any unusual digestive symptoms, you should get in touch with your doctor as soon as you can.

Fluids

Whilst taking Creon, you should make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Making sure you are consuming lots of liquids means it will be less likely that you will develop chronic constipation.

Changes to treatment

While it is less than ideal to change to a different brand of Creon, it may become necessary. If it does, it may become apparent that the new brand of Creon has a bit of a different effect on you. Since each manufacturer has its own process for producing Creon, your body may react differently to the Creon produced by a different manufacturer. Depending on the response your body has to different brands, you may require a different dose. You should discuss it with your doctor before changing to a different brand of Creon.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you should not use Creon. However, if you have discussed it with your doctor and you are both sure that the benefits of using Creon exceed the risks involved, then you should follow your doctor’s advice and use Creon. If you are already taking Creon when you discover that you are pregnant, you should discuss the situation with your doctor as soon as you can.

Breastfeeding

Your breast milk will contain the enzymes present in Creon, however, the proteins released by the enzymes being broken down can be passed on to the baby through breast milk. While the exact effects of these proteins being passed on to the baby through breast milk are not known, it is possible that they could have an impact on your baby. Before taking Creon you should discuss whether it is safe to continue breastfeeding with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creon may be prescribed for conditions other than those mentioned above. If you do not know why your doctor has prescribed it for you, you should ask them. It is important not to stop taking Creon without discussing it with your doctor.

You mustn’t give your prescribed Creon to anyone else. Even if they have the same symptoms as you, it can be harmful to them if they have not been prescribed it.

An interaction does not necessarily mean you need to stop taking one. You should speak with your doctor and they will be able to help you manage your medications.

It depends on the situation, but your doctor might suggest:

  • you stop taking the medication
  • you change to a different medication
  • change your dosage of Creon, the other medication, or both
  • leave things as they are.

Other medications may interact with Creon, you should inform your doctor of all prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medicines. They should be made aware of any supplements you’re taking. You should also tell your doctor if you smoke, use street drugs or consume caffeine products.

It is vital that you take Creon exactly as your doctor has prescribed, so if you miss a dose you should seek guidance from your doctor. However, do not attempt to give yourself two doses to make up for the one you missed.

You should let your doctor know if you are:

  • allergic to pork proteins
  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding

You should also let your doctor know if you:

  • have had kidney disease
  • have had gout
  • have had diabetes
  • have had an intestinal blockage or scarring
  • have trouble swallowing pills
  • are lactose intolerant.

You should not give a child this medicine without it being recommended by your doctor.

If you think you or someone else may have taken too much Creon, you should call your doctor. If someone has collapsed or isn’t breathing after a suspected overdose of Creon, you should call the emergency services.

You should store Creon tightly in its original container at room temperature, away from light, moisture, children, and pets. For further information, you should check the packaging as different brands may necessitate different storage conditions. Alternatively, you can ask your pharmacist when you pick up your medication. However, you should not store Creon in the bathroom. Ideally, Creon would be stored with a packet of moisture-absorbing preservatives. Also, Creon should not be disposed of in the toilet or a drain.

While it is unknown whether Creon can harm an unborn baby, you should let your doctor know if you become pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is unknown whether Creon can pass into breast milk. You should discuss with your doctor whether you should take Creon while breastfeeding.

By keeping your Creon with you at all times you can make it easier to remember to take it on time. Just remember to keep it cool and away from moisture.

Creon is meant for long-term treatment. As long as you and your doctor agree that it is safe and effective for you, then you will probably take it on a long-term basis.

Creon should not be disposed of in wastewater or thrown out in the rubbish. You should seek the recommendations of your pharmacist to determine how best to dispose of the medication in your area.

You should avoid using medication that has expired, however, you can ask your pharmacist whether you might still be able to take unused medication that has expired.