Consumer Information

Creon

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Treatment & Uses
Side Effects
Treating Overdose
Safety Information
Before Using

Generic Name: pancrelipase (oral) (pan kre LYE pace)
Brand Names: Cotazym, Creon Delayed-Release capsules, Ku-Zyme, Kutrase, Lipram, Pancrease, Panokase, Ultrase, Viokase

What is Creon?

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Creon contains a mixture of digestive enzymes (including lipases, proteases, and amylases) from pig pancreas. These enzymes are normally produced by the pancreas and are important in the digestion of fats, proteins, and sugars.

Creon is a prescription pancreatic enzyme medicine used to improve food digestion in people who cannot digest food properly because they have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Creon may also be used for purposes other than those listed.

Important information about Creon

You should not take Creon if you are allergic to pork proteins.

Before taking Creon, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a sudden onset of pancreatitis, or worsening of chronic pancreatic disease.

It is important to use Creon regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Do not hold the delayed-release capsule contents in your mouth. The medication may irritate the inside of your mouth.

Do not change brands of pancrelipase without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of pancrelipase are interchangeable while others are not. Ask your pharmacist which brands or generic forms can be substituted for another.

Before taking Creon

You should not take Creon if you are allergic to pork proteins.

Before taking Creon, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

a sudden onset of pancreatitis; or
worsening of chronic pancreatic disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Creon.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether pancrelipase passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Creon without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Creon?

Take Creon exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

It is important to use Creon regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Creon should be taken during meals or snacks. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not hold the delayed-release capsule contents in your mouth. The medication may irritate the inside of your mouth.

Infants (up to 12 months): The contents of the Creon delayed-release capsule may be put directly in the infant’s mouth or in a small amount of applesauce and administered (or given) just prior to feeding the infant breast milk or formula. Do not mix Creon delayed-release capsule contents directly into formula or breast milk prior to administration. Care should be taken to ensure that the entire administered dose is swallowed and not retained in the mouth, to avoid irritation of the mouth.

Children and Adults: Always take Creon during a meal or a snack and follow it with sufficient fluid. If you forget to take Creon, call your healthcare professional or wait until your next meal and take your usual number of capsules. Do not make up for missed doses. Take your next dose at the usual time. If you or your child takes more Creon than directed, call your healthcare professional right away. Swallow Creon whole. Do not crush or chew the contents of the capsules. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you can add the contents of an open capsule directly onto your food. To do so, carefully open the capsules and sprinkle the contents on a small amount of applesauce at room temperature as described below. Swallow the soft food right away without chewing and follow with water or juice.

Hold the Creon capsule upright so that you can read the word Creon on the capsule.
Carefully twist off the top portion of the capsule over the food you plan to eat.
Sprinkle the contents of the Creon delayed-release capsule onto the soft food. Do not crush the contents of the capsules.
Swallow the Creon-soft food mixture right away without chewing and follow with water or juice to make sure the contents of the capsules are swallowed completely.

Store Creon at room temperature for up to 12 weeks after the bottle is opened. If you store Creon at temperatures greater than room temperature (up to 40°C or 104°F), throw away after 30 days. Keep the medicine in its original container and keep the bottle closed tightly. Protect the bottle from moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and wait until your next scheduled dose to take the medicine. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include diarrhea or stomach upset.

What should I avoid while taking Creon?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Creon.

Creon side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious Creon side effects may include:

nausea or vomiting;
stomach pain or upset;
diarrhea or constipation;
greasy stools;
rectal irritation; or
bloating or gas.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Creon?

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Creon. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Creon.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Creon only for the indication prescribed
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.