Pancrelipase for Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction User Reviews (Page 2)

• Sic...
• March 15, 2016

Pancrelipase "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."

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

Pancrelipase "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."

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

Pancrelipase "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."

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

Pancrelipase "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

Pancrelipase "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

Pancrelipase "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."

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

Pancrelipase "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

Pancrelipase "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

Pancrelipase "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

Pancrelipase "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."

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

Pancrelipase "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."

• Bre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2018

"These enzymes dehydrated me so badly and lowered my blood pressure a lot. The price is insane. I've switched to natural digestive enzymes with probiotics and am having fantastic results. I really hated how huge the capsules were. They were very hard to swallow. My monthly dosage now costs me less than 8 dollars (compared to one thousand for Zenpep!!!)"

• deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 29, 2023

Pancrelipase "Doctors prescribed Zenpep with meals and snacks. I pay $25 for 250 pills every month for 5 months, and then all my scripts are free for the last 7 months of the year with my insurance. This medicine works wonders. I'm so grateful. It helps with my acid reflux and gas. If I forget to take it, I realize it for sure I will start getting symptoms immediately. The doctor prescribes the max dose, so I will never run out. Forever grateful."

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2024

"I took this medication for about 1 year. During which time I developed pre-gout symptoms. My uric acid levels went very high. Then we cut back the dose because I must take another medication that also contains porcine. I also have ongoing stomach bloating, and the doctor didn't know anything about it. Been having lots of trouble sleeping also then discovered that is another side effect of this medication. I've discontinued using it and switched to a plant-based digestive enzyme that just depends on that also helps me digest foods with wheat since I am celiac. In my humble opinion, the side effects make this medication not usable for me. It did its job in terms of digesting food, I will give it that."

• bil...
• December 31, 2016

"After a Whipple procedure I need to take these. Now about the finance... I take 8 of the blue pills daily, 2 at meals, 1 at snacks. Cost about $80.00 every day. I'm on Medicare with Part D coverage. Is there a cheaper generic?"

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

"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 and 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 200 lbs. Best wishes to everyone."

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

Pancrelipase "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

Pancrelipase "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."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2009

Pancrelipase "Creon is great. If I do not take it, I suffer severe pain."

• 777...
• August 4, 2014

Pancrelipase "Marginally slowed chronic bowel dysfunction. Bowel movements remain watery and loose."

• Jma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2020

Pancrelipase "Creon is wonderful for my pancreatic exocrine dysfunction - no urgency since started taking."

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2023

Pancrelipase "This medicine helped with my EPI symptoms but I experienced side effects such as dizziness, high anxiety, fatigue, and dry mouth, so I am currently looking for another alternative."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 10, 2024

Pancrelipase "Works well, but too expensive. I'm 79, and a $150 copay is more than I can afford."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 28, 2021

Pancrelipase "I have been taking Zenpep for the past 10 years after having pancreatic cancer. It works great but is very expensive."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2022

Pancrelipase "I have been taking Zenpep for 3 weeks, and I see no improvement."