Pancrelipase User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Dik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2018

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Creon is great for my exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), taken almost three years. Without Creon, I have explosive diarrhea. But my dosage is tiny compared to many, one 3,000 lipase capsule with all meals or snacks."

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2016

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Side effects kicked in were worse than my condition. Already take Zofran for nausea and vomiting. This drug actually started me vomiting again. If you have depression and anxiety issues and pain issues in joints, etc., it can make it worse and override medication. Thank goodness my doctor gave me samples because it's extremely expensive even with insurance. Do not take if you are allergic or don't take/eat pork ingredients... I'm not - but it's a warning I wasn't told about."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I was experiencing diarrhea 6 or 7 times a day, had cramps, and a rock-hard stomach and bowels. I had sleeve surgery 8 years ago, and my gallbladder was removed about 30 years ago. I was prescribed Zenpep one month ago and feel like a new person. Bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea are gone as long as I take it with every meal. If I eat without taking it, the symptoms return. I am glad I have good insurance, as this medication costs $1,500 monthly, and I pay $30 for 2 months. It really does work well for me."

• Pen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 3, 2024

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Was advised to start with 1 capsule for a snack and 2 for a meal and to increase until stools were normal. I am now up to 8 x 2500 for a meal, 6 for a sandwich (not cheese). When I expressed my concern to my surgeon, he said to take as many as I need. Things are fairly normal now, although flatulence is still a problem. My advice is to keep increasing the dose until you get it right. Also, keep a diary so that when your stools are not properly formed, look back a couple of days to see where you should have taken more."

• Edw...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 15, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I've been on Creon 3 x 36,000 lipase units every meal for three years without any issues until recently. About 5 months ago, I started having explosive diarrhea, up to 6 times a day. I stopped taking it for a few weeks and got better. I started back slowly with 1 x 36,000 lipase units, and over the course of 2 weeks, I increased back to 3 pills with meals. Everything was fine for about 3 weeks, now my diarrhea is back. Yesterday, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor, and I am going to stop again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Just been diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency. Was prescribed Zenpep two weeks ago. Started on 1 before every meal and snack. Just increased to two before meals and one before snack. Have seen a big improvement. Praying that it continues. Would like to find a diet program specifically for this condition."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I've taken Creon 36,000 units per meal for almost 2 years. It's overall good, but like all meds, there are side effects (headache, blurred vision, sore throat). I have an autoimmune condition, and my sore throat and dry mouth worsened (so not sure if caused by Creon or the AI condition). For me, it works best to take it in the middle of the meal. If I take it before eating, it causes irritation on my throat. I also think it works best to get the lower dose and use it according to the size of the meal; so a single one for snacks, and can double if full meal. I hope my review helps someone. Wishing good health to everyone here!"

• mot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2019

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Whether it was the medicine or not, I had abdominal pain after taking Creon for 2 months. I cut the dosage back, had more tests run on my abdomen, which showed nothing. I have been taking a dosing capsule of 24,000 units with each meal since February and have had no side effects. No more runny stools or frequent trips to the restroom. I have an appointment and lab work later this month."

• way...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Creon has done nothing to relieve my symptoms. I am still suffering from bloating, feeling like vomiting all day, headache, and I have lost 30 lbs in three months. I am going to ask the doctor to switch me to Zenpep. Creon has a 50% approval, whereas Zenpep is 74%, so I'm hoping it will work for me."

• Sic...
• March 15, 2016

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I had immediate problems when I started taking this medication. Honestly, I thought it was a placebo because I had all of the symptoms that caused me to take the med in the first place. Definitely did not work for me."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2017

For Chronic Pancreatitis "This medication works well for me, and I had no side effects. The monthly cost is so expensive! $1,875.72 monthly without insurance! With little to no help from the pharmaceutical company. When my insurance will pay for it, it's $240 monthly."

• Kin...
• March 30, 2012

For Cystic Fibrosis "I'm a 42-year-old male with cystic fibrosis. Survived until 38 with no medication but constant diarrhea. Could not tolerate fatty foods or alcohol - made me very nauseous and big weight swings. Creon has stopped all this completely, and life is much happier and healthier. The little Creon carry pack makes taking Creon 25,000 with meals easy. Very happy."

• Lor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 29, 2020

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I have been persevering with Creon on and off for three years now after Whipple's surgery. Every time I started it back on, my diarrhea was actually worse. This medication did absolutely nothing to help, even with increasing the dosage. I continued to have frequent explosive diarrhea problems. I am told to keep taking it and worry that by not taking it, it will do more harm."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2021

For Chronic Pancreatitis "I have been taking Creon for about one month. It caused me constipation, weight loss, and anxiety. Please let me know if anyone has felt anxiety with this medication. Otherwise I'm okay with my digestion."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2021

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I was diagnosed with inoperable Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. They started me on 12,000 mg Creon, did nothing but make me feel worse. Then the oncologist upped the dosage to 36,000 mg, 2 with meals, 1 with a snack. Still explosive diarrhea, and I had already lost 30 lbs. Then the oncologist tripled my dosage, and I spent 8 hours on the toilet every day (no exaggeration). I stopped taking it, and I’m actually doing better. It’s not worth the sacrifice of my quality of life. Never will I take it again."

• Ree...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 22, 2024

"I have been on Creon for 15 years. I take 22+ tablets a day and live on a low FODMAP diet. I never eat beef or lamb as I cannot digest them. If I don't have tablets with a meal, I am in agony and end up living in the bathroom. I am thankful for the tablets. They have helped me to live."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2021

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I’ve been using Creon on and off for two years, and right now I’m up to three 24,000 capsules before each meal, but I still have horrible, horrible, horrible cramps and diarrhea. I’m going to my third gastroenterologist tomorrow, and hopefully, he will have some answers! This is no way to live."

• Ron...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 9, 2020

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Using Zenpep has made a significant difference in the way I feel having pancreatic exocrine dysfunction (PED). Without this medication, I have a difficult time getting through a day without gastric issues."

• J C...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2024

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I have type 2 diabetes and was recently diagnosed through the fecal elastase test. I was having chronic diarrhea and unbelievable gas, and losing weight. As it turns out, my elastase level was at 40, it should be 300+ indicating a severe case of EPI from chronic pancreatitis. I am currently taking up to 65k (for big fatty meals) and 10k to 35k per snack. I adjust my dose accordingly - more for extra big fatty meals, or less for smaller, less fatty meals or snacks. Each person is different, and you have to tailor dosage. The goal is to take the least dose that is effective to avoid side effects. At the moment, I am doing really well and have zero diarrhea and have gained weight. This medication has given me back a normal life, and without it, I was doomed. I suggest you stay the course and start your dosing at between 35k to 45k per meal, going up or down as needed, keeping in mind your body weight - less or more, accordingly. My body weight is 200lbs. Best wishes to everyone."

• sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2023

For Chronic Pancreatitis "I have a rare autoimmune disease that's given me chronic pancreatitis. I have stones halfway up my pancreas duct and it's dilated. I have to have 4 or 5 hospital visits for stents and to try to get the stones out. Then my head of pancreas removed. I am 53 and have been sick ever since I was in a coma 5 years ago. Didn't know why. Now I do. So Creon has helped me big time. I'm only just diagnosed and have been sick daily for that time. Pains, toilet issues, you all know the symptoms. If I don't take Creon 25000 2 or 3 with a meal and 1 with a snack, I get all the badness back. I'm getting it for cheap as I'm in Australia and we have great Medicare here, so no insurance needed."

• 422...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2021

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I had Whipple surgery 8 months ago. I was doing fairly well and then started having bouts of diarrhea. Diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Just started Creon. Stool is loose but not diarrhea. I am lethargic after taking for a couple of days. Anyone else experience lethargy? I'll update as I proceed with using."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

For Chronic Pancreatitis "Started using Zenpep. No side effects, but honestly, it does not work. I've been in pain ever since I started taking it. I take it during each meal, and I am in pain. Pertyze is what really works for me, but my insurance does not want to cover it. It sucks that we paid too much for insurance, and I have to beg for my meds. Actually, it's the only one I take. I eat well - I gave up sweets, red meat, and coffee, not too many carbs, but I hurt. I go on liquid diets for 3 days, if not more. As soon as I eat, there is my pain again with these pills."

• Hmc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2024

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "After reading all these reviews, I guess I'm the lucky one. Had a huge back surgery, 3-day surgery, every other day for 12 hours. Happy to say the back surgery worked great, less pain now than I've had in about 30 years. However, it turns out that massive of a surgery creates issues in your body that you've never had. I began having explosive diarrhea 4-6 times a day, bloating, and horrible gas and flatulence! My doctor said she thought I had EPI and put me on just 3000 units of Creon, and for the first week, it did absolutely nothing! My doctor told me to keep taking it, one before any and all snacks and two before meals. Finally, after about two weeks, I began feeling some relief. Then, thank god, in about one more week of taking Creon, all the other symptoms were gone, and I can honestly say I've had the most regular, normal stomach functions I've had since my surgery 3 years ago! Sorry for all the issues so many of you on here have had, but for me, so far, Creon is a miracle drug!"

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2021

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I'm on day 3. I feel very foggy on this. A little dizzy, unable to focus, it's like I have a bit of tunnel vision. I'm assuming it's the fillers used (in the ingredient list on the professional information for Creon says one of them is PEG, which I avoid). I will not continue taking this. It's likely I'll go back to OTC pancreatic enzymes, I didn't feel like this on them at all, but only accepted the script because my copay was less than OTC."

• 70...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2024

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Diagnosed with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency 2 months ago. A year and a half prior, suffered from explosive diarrhea after eating anything at all, uncontrolled for 18 months. A zillion tests showed nothing wrong. Then, a GI specialist did a stool elastase test, and then later a CT scan at my request. The scan showed some fatty pancreas but not too bad. Stool tested middle of the moderate bad range for enzyme insufficiency. I've now been taking Pancreaze for about 3 months, 75,000 units with a meal and 35,000 units with a snack. For 1 month, had all positive change. No more diarrhea. No more floating stools. No side effects except really bad breath, which my acquaintances have told me about. But now, for almost 2 months, I have headaches almost daily. Also floating stools again. Also much looser stools but not necessarily diarrhea. Extremely bad breath. About a 35% loss of energy."