What is Creon? Uses, warnings & side effects
Creon is a brand-name prescription drug that contains digestive enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and starches in food. Capsules are taken right before a meal. The enzymes they contain help infants, children, and adults with severe pancreas problems digest their food. The dosage strength will depend on body weight and the amount of fat consumed in individual meals.
Creon overview
BRAND NAMES:
Creon
Generic Names:
Pancrelipase
Uses:
Provides digestive enzymes to people with pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreas removal, or other problems
What is Creon used for?
Healthcare professionals prescribe Creon to people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas does not secrete enough digestive enzymes to break down fats, starches, and proteins in food.
What form(s) does Creon come in?
Delayed-release capsule
3,000 lipase units
6,000 lipase units
12,000 lipase units
24,000 lipase units
36,000 lipase units
What are common Creon dosages?
For pancreatic insufficiency: dosage depends on age, body weight, and the fat content of meals
In adults: 500–2,500 lipase units per kilogram of body weight per meal
In children 4 years of age and older: 500–2,500 lipase units/kg per meal
In children between 12 months and 4 years of age: 1,000–2,500 lipase units/kg per meal
In infants 12 months or younger: 3,000 lipase units per 120 ml of formula or for each breastfeeding administered before feeding
Creon images - What does Creon look like?
Creon
100 capsules delayed release particles bottleCreon
250 capsules delayed release particles bottleCreon
70 capsules delayed release particles bottleCreon
6000-19000unit capsule delayed release particles
How to take Creon
Take Creon capsules as directed. The prescriber may need to regularly change the dose.
The doctor will instruct you on how many capsules you can take in a day. Do not exceed this daily maximum.
The doctor may give special instructions on how to take this medicine.
Follow the dietary instructions or guidance given by the healthcare team.
Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.
Always take this medicine when eating a meal or snack.
Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew the capsule, and do not let it remain or dissolve in your mouth.
People who can’t swallow a capsule can open it and mix it with a small amount of acidic food like applesauce or yogurt. Eat the mixture immediately without chewing. Swallow a drink of water right away.
How to administer Creon to an infant:
Give the infant a dose of Creon immediately before breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Do not mix the capsule's contents with the formula or breast milk.
Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents in the baby’s mouth, or mix the contents with a small amount of acidic food, like applesauce, and feed the mixture immediately to the baby.
Immediately have the infant swallow some liquid so that the full dose is swallowed.
Check the baby’s mouth to make sure the medicine has been swallowed.
Store Creon capsules in their original container at room temperature in a dry place. Avoid exposing the container to heat.
Always keep the container closed to protect the capsules from moisture.
The bottle has a tiny packet that helps protect the capsules from moisture. Do not throw that packet away.
What to do if you miss a dose of Creon
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and call the prescriber or healthcare team.
Take the next dose at your next meal or snack.
Creon contraindications - Who shouldn't take Creon?
Creon does not have any listed contraindications.
Creon warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
The prescriber and healthcare team will need to regularly check on your progress and periodically adjust the Creon dose. Keep all appointments.
Before starting Creon, tell the prescriber about all your medical conditions, particularly:
Allergies to pork products
A history of intestinal blockage
Scarring of the colon (fibrosing colonopathy)
Gout
Kidney disease
High uric acid in the blood
Diabetes or blood sugar problems
Trouble swallowing
Tell the prescriber if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
Creon can cause serious problems, including:
Scarring of the colon
High uric acid levels in the blood
Severe allergic reactions
Creon is processed from raw pig pancreas. Though rare, the drug could cause a viral infection. Immediately contact the healthcare team if you suspect you’ve contracted an infection.
Creon interactions & what to avoid when taking Creon
Make sure the prescriber knows about all medications and supplements that you or your child take.
Tell other doctors or healthcare providers about Creon before they prescribe new medications.
Pancreatic enzymes have only one significant drug interaction. Antacids can interfere with the effectiveness of the enzymes, so talk to the prescriber before using antacids.
Creon side effects - How does Creon make you feel?
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Severe stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
Joint pain, joint stiffness, redness around the joints
Allergic reaction: Rash, hives, swelling of your face, lips, or tongue, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, chest tightness, fast or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, confusion, feeling faint
Less serious side effects
Abdominal pain
Blood sugar changes
Gas
Difficult bowel movements
Frequent bowel movements
Abnormal feces
Sources:
Creon drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference
Creon pancrelipase capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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