Frequently asked questions

Because EPI affects your body’s ability to break down food, it may prevent you from absorbing enough nutrients, resulting in serious complications, such as malnutrition. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor if you think you might have EPI. If your doctor diagnoses you with EPI and prescribes a treatment, it’s important to continue taking it exactly as your doctor tells you.  

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies (PERTs) are the standard of care for EPI. PERTs replace digestive enzymes that your body may be missing. Because PERTs help you digest food, they need to be taken every time you eat—with every meal and snack.  

Pancreatectomy is a general term for the surgical removal of the pancreas; a pancreatectomy may be total or partial, depending on the condition. If you have had a partial pancreatectomy, you may develop EPI. If you have had a complete pancreatectomy, you will very likely develop EPI. 

CP is inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal or improve; instead, it gets worse over time and may lead to permanent damage. Many patients with CP also have EPI because the pancreas becomes so damaged that it can no longer make enough enzymes for normal digestion.

CF is a genetic disease that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus. This mucus clogs the lungs and leads to lung infections. The mucus also affects the digestive system by clogging the pancreas. Most people with CF also have EPI. 

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition, results in lessened insulin production and potential damage of other pancreas cells. As a result, production of enzymes may be affected, leading to digestive problems like EPI.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, occurs when blood sugar stays too high because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use it effectively. Insulin normally helps move glucose from food into cells for energy, but in type 2 diabetes, too much glucose remains in the blood instead of reaching the cells.

AP is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed, impairing its ability to provide sufficient enzymes to digest food. AP can result in temporary or permanent EPI.

Celiac disease is gluten-induced inflammation that can reduce the pancreatic enzyme production needed to digest food.

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune condition that may cause inflammation and scarring in the pancreas. This can affect the ability of the pancreas to produce the enzymes needed for digestion, which can lead to EPI.

Surgeries on the digestive system can change how the gut is shaped and works. These changes can make it harder for the body to make or use digestive enzymes properly, which can lead to problems like EPI, where the body also can't digest food properly.

Cancer in the pancreas is called "pancreatic cancer." EPI is a common problem for people with this disease. It can happen because the cancer or surgery damages the pancreas or blocks the duct that carries digestive enzymes. When this happens, the body doesn't get enough enzymes to properly break down food, which can lead to trouble digesting food.

Your doctor and you will discuss your treatment goals. They may include topics such as nutrient absorption and symptom relief. Management can include lifestyle, diet, supplements, and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.

CREON works by replacing the enzymes that your pancreas isn’t making to help your body digest and absorb nutrients from the food you eat. CREON increases your body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients, which may help relieve some of the symptoms of EPI. Your doctor will prescribe a dose that is right for you, so take note of your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor during your next appointment.

CREON contains a mixture of digestive enzymes:

• Lipases — break down fats
• Proteases — break down proteins
• Amylases — break down carbohydrates (sugars)

• Store CREON at room temperature, 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C). Avoid heat.
• You may store CREON at a temperature between 77°F and 104°F (25°C to 40°C) for up to 30 days. Throw away any CREON that has been stored at these temperatures for more than 30 days.
• Keep CREON in a dry place and in the original container.
• After opening the bottle, keep it closed tightly between uses to protect from moisture. If there is a moisture-absorbing packet (desiccant) in the bottle, keep it in the bottle. Do not eat it or throw it away.
• Keep CREON and all medicines out of the reach of children.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, open the capsules and sprinkle the contents on a small amount of room-temperature acidic food, such as applesauce, bananas, or plain Greek yogurt. Drink enough liquid to make sure the medicine is swallowed completely. Ask your doctor about other foods you can mix with CREON. Do not store CREON that has been mixed with food. 

You may notice slight differences in how your medication looks, but it is the same CREON you know and trust—there is no difference in how it works.

Your doctor will provide you with instructions on how much CREON to take for both meals and snacks. When eating snacks, you typically need half the dose used for meals. If you have questions, it's important to ask your doctor. 

If you miss a dose, call your doctor or wait until your next meal or snack to take your usual number of capsules. Take your next dose at your usual time and do not make up for missed doses. Your dose should not be doubled. 

CREON needs to be taken with every meal and snack to work as expected. The digestive enzymes in CREON need to mix with food and enter the stomach and the small intestine at the same time. If a dose is missed, take the next dose with the next meal or snack.

Take CREON exactly as your doctor tells you.

• You should not switch CREON with any other pancreatic enzyme product without first talking to your doctor.
• Do not take more capsules in a day than the number your doctor tells you to take (total daily dose).
• Your doctor may change your dose based on the amount of fatty foods you eat or based on your weight.

If you miss a dose for your infant, call your doctor and wait until your infant’s next meal or snack to give them their usual dose. Give your infant their next dose at the usual time, and do not make up for missed doses. Your infant’s dose should not be doubled.

Give CREON to your infant before each feeding of breast milk or formula. Do not mix the capsule contents directly into the breast milk or formula. Take care to stay within and not go over the total daily dose of CREON, especially if you feed your infant often throughout the day.

CREON may increase your chance of developing fibrosing colonopathy, a rare bowel disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of intestinal blockage or scarring or thickening of your bowel wall or if you are allergic to pork; or if you have gout, kidney problems, or worsening of painful, swollen joints. Call your doctor if you have any unusual or severe gastrointestinal symptoms or allergic reactions. Take CREON as directed by your doctor and always with food. Do not chew capsules as this may cause mouth irritation. Other side effects may include blood sugar changes, gas, dizziness, sore throat, and cough. These are not all the side effects of CREON. Always check with your healthcare professional and discuss the risks and benefits before taking CREON.

Please see the CREON Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information for more information.

If you have additional questions about CREON, please call 1-800-633-9110 for assistance or visit AbbVieMedInfo.com for further information.