Creon User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• adl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 7, 2012

For Cystic Fibrosis "Out of all the synthetic pancreatic enzymes I have taken, Creon 20 is the most helpful so far, but I find it's best just to not eat fat. Also, a normal person needs only 30 calories of fat a day, so if you have cystic fibrosis, keep this in mind."

• Mem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2023

For Chronic Pancreatitis "I started Creon and felt great for 2 weeks, no side effects... and then I had swelling in my lower legs, ankles, and feet. The doctor told me to stop taking it. I am truly disappointed - less bloating, gas, no pain at all. I hope he has something else in mind."

• CJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2021

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I have been taking 24,000 units of Creon 3x for meals and 1x for snacks for about a year. Initially, Creon seemed to work without noticeable side effects. Now, I have developed functional dyspepsia, including weight loss, bloating, and a hard stomach. The dosage was increased, however, I still am not able to gain weight. I am very disappointed with this medication."

• mam...
• April 14, 2008

For Cystic Fibrosis "Creon has helped my little three-year-old cousin. She was born with cystic fibrosis, and she doesn't understand what it can and what it is doing to her! She is a healthy little girl that is going to survive this birth defect!"

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

For Cystic Fibrosis "Was given this med due to chronic diarrhea. PCP wanted to see if it would help with it. The same night I took it, I started having horrible mid to upper back pain, then pain along the left side that went into the abdomen. I went to the ER and told them about the meds, and they ran tests and were unsure. I got labs before I left that showed an infection in the blood, so now being treated for this rare infection with high-dose antibiotics. Make sure to get labs for this since the virus can be overlooked if they're not familiar with Creon."

• Syn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2023

"I just started this medication to treat IBS. So far, I'm not bloated and do not have a lot of gas, but my throat is irritated, which can happen. I'm just grateful I don't feel like crap. I felt ill for 2 years, not knowing what was wrong with me as I had a blood test and found I had stress in my pancreas."

• use...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 25, 2023

"I had an ileostomy/colostomy operation 40 years ago (stoma bag) at age 21 and recently had the Whipple procedure operation (now 59) due to pancreatic cancer, all linked to ulcerative colitis. It was the first time my surgeon had done a Whipple on top of an ileostomy. I was told to take three Creon tabs with a meal or each course and two with a snack. Creon has made ZERO difference for me that I can tell. I know my body, I know what it does, why, and the results (waste, bloating, pain, and discomfort), and I question how or do they help me and in what way. I don't believe they do anything for me, others might be different, but I experience no difference and would NEVER suggest anyone stops using them, down to the individual experience."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I started taking Creon the week before Thanksgiving and miracle—it stopped my ongoing diarrhea. I'm on a low dose - 12,000-38-60,000 unit capsule delayed release. Then the following week morning diarrhea started followed by middle of the night diarrhea. I've emailed my gastroenterologist and maybe she will change dosage."

• luz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2025

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I was having so much pain in my belly and weight loss, and I was not sure what was going on with my body. My primary care doctor ordered a test through fecal, and the diagnosis was that I have EPI -50 on the results. I was not able to eat and didn't have pain after eating or have normal bowel movements. After I went to my GI doctor, they recommended I start taking CREON, the higher dose, and after I started taking the med, my life changed. I'm able to eat normally, and I gained weight. I know not everyone has the same side effects. I'm sorry for those that the med has not worked for, but for me it was a different history."