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Key takeaways
Creon provides oral digestive enzymes to people who can’t produce these enzymes (pancreatic insufficiency).
A 10- to 25-day supply (100 Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsules) costs about $1,675.
Creon is covered by most insurance plans without restrictions.
Creon is a brand-name prescription medication that contains pancreatic digestive enzymes to break down the basic components of food: protease to break down proteins, amylase to break down starch, and lipase to break down fats. Healthcare providers prescribe Creon to people who don’t produce enough digestive enzymes because they have cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, or other medical conditions. The retail cost of Creon depends on the quantity needed. A typical 25-day supply of Creon costs over $1,600.
The dosage strength of pancreatic enzyme drugs is typically identified by the lipase units in the drug because doctors adjust doses based on the amount of fat detected in stool tests. Most adults take Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsules. Each capsule contains 36,000 USP units of lipase.
Related: 5 ways to save on Creon
How much does Creon cost without insurance?
A 25-day supply (100 capsules) of Creon 36,000 costs $1,675. However, 100 capsules may last less than 10 days or as long as 30 days, depending on the patient’s needs.
People weighing over 110 pounds typically take a single Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsule with each meal or snack—three to five capsules a day. The typical Creon 36,000 lipase-unit dose for people weighing over 160 pounds is two Creon capsules with meals and one Creon capsule with snacks, so people could end up taking eight or more capsules daily. Depending on the person’s weight and the fat content of the diet, as many as seven capsules can be required per meal.
The cost of Creon can quickly add up for uninsured patients. Unfortunately, pancreatic enzyme products are only available as premium-priced, brand-name drugs. No matter what their retail price is, none are interchangeable. You should consult a healthcare provider and obtain a new prescription to switch to an alternative product.
The lowest-cost alternative may be to use a SingleCare discount card when purchasing Creon or alternative pancreatic enzyme products. With a SingleCare discount, the lowest price for 90 Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsules is $1,182.
How much does generic Creon cost?
There is no generic version of prescription pancreatic enzymes, but there are over-the-counter versions that are made from plants or fungus. These are sold as nutritional supplements, but they are not considered equivalent in quality, predictability, or dosing reliability to prescription digestive enzymes. People usually switch to these products because of food restrictions rather than price.
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creon | $1,675 per 100, 36,000 lipase-unit capsules | $1,182 per 100, 36,000 lipase-unit capsules of brand-name Creon | See latest prices |
| Zenpep | $2,261 per 100, 40,000 lipase-unit capsules | $1,466 per 100, 40,000 lipase-unit capsules of brand-name Zenpep | See latest prices |
| Viokace | $1,199 per 100, 10,440 lipase-unit tablets | $393 per 100, 10,440 lipase-unit tablet of brand-name Viokace | See latest prices |
| Pancreaze | $104 per 100, 2,600 lipase-unit capsules | $79 per 100, 2,600 lipase-unit capsules of brand-name Pancreaze | See latest prices |
| Pertzye | $399 per 42, 24,000 lipase-unit capsules | $321 per 42, 24,000 lipase-unit capsules of brand-name Pertzye | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “see latest prices” to see the latest drug prices.
RELATED: Creon alternatives: What can I take instead of Creon?
Creon costs by dose
Creon costs vary based on dosage strength, which is largely based on body weight and dietary choices. Adults typically take Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsules. Lower dosage strengths are generally used in pediatric patients. The actual “dose” is determined by the food people eat, so the cost of Creon treatment has a straight-line relationship to a patient’s diet.
| (per 100 capsules unless otherwise noted) | |
|---|---|
| Strength | SingleCare price of brand-name Creon |
| 3,000 lipase-units of Creon | $153 (90 capsules) |
| 6,000 lipase-units of Creon | $192 |
| 12,000 lipase-units of Creon | $382 |
| 24,000 lipase-units of Creon | $761 |
| 36,000 lipase-units of Creon | $1,182 |
| See our lowest price for Creon without insurance |
Is Creon covered by insurance?
Creon or similar medicines are necessary for cystic fibrosis patients or people with severe pancreas problems. Most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part D drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage, and Medicaid plans, cover prescriptions for Creon or alternative pancreatic enzyme products. For 90% of covered patients, Creon is a preferred brand in the lowest tier of the branded formulary, so the insurer typically does not impose any restrictions on coverage, such as prior authorization. Deductibles, coinsurance, and coverage gap costs also factor into the final out-of-pocket cost for a Creon prescription.
How to get Creon covered by insurance
Most insurance plans cover Creon without restrictions. If it’s not covered, ask the prescribing healthcare professional about digestive enzymes that your health insurance plan does cover.
If Creon is covered, but the insurance company denies your claim, it’s usually because of paperwork mistakes or a question about the diagnosis. The pharmacist or prescriber could straighten these out with the insurance provider.
Some insurance companies place quantity limits on Creon. This is rare, but it could mean people on high-dose Creon are paying full price when they exceed monthly maximums. If this happens, ask the prescriber to submit an exception request that outlines the medical necessity of the additional medicine.
How to get Creon without insurance
Creon can be a serious challenge to purchase without insurance coverage. Other prescription medications, healthcare services, and additional medical expenses can significantly increase the costs associated with a medical condition. That’s why it pays to save. The manufacturer may offer a patient assistance program for Creon, but not everyone will meet the strict eligibility criteria. More certain savings options include:
1. Start with a SingleCare prescription discount card
People with a SingleCare savings card can save up to $500 off the average retail price of 100 Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsules. Discounts vary between participating pharmacies, so visit SingleCare’s Creon coupons page to find the most current offers. The FAQs section on this page has additional information about savings and the drug. While there, sign up for SingleCare’s loyalty savings program to earn bonus savings on prescription drugs.
2. Find the lowest pharmacy price using SingleCare
Patients and caregivers can compare pharmacy prices on SingleCare’s Creon price history table. There, they’ll find that the lowest price for 100 Creon 36,000 lipase-unit capsules is $30 less than the highest price.
- Creon 36K quick reference dosing summary, AbbVie Inc. (2024)
- Creon (pancrelipase) delayed-release capsules, AbbVie Inc. (2024)
- Creon- pancrelipase capsule, delayed release, DailyMed (2024)