As you start out on CREON, use the Treatment Tracker to track the first few weeks of therapy. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, call your doctor and schedule a follow-up in-person or telehealth appointment. Share your Treatment Tracker results with your doctor and discuss how your current treatment plan is going. Your doctor may decide to adjust your dose based on your symptoms, diet, and other factors.
Starting CREON is the beginning of a journey. You may notice changes in your digestive symptoms from the first dose onward. Here’s what to expect as you start treatment.
Whether it’s a full meal or a snack, take CREON every time you eat. Remember to follow your treatment plan closely and take CREON exactly as prescribed. If you miss a dose, don’t double up; just take it with your next meal or snack.
Plan ahead for when you’re on the go by keeping CREON in your purse, backpack, or at your work desk. Just remember to store CREON in a cool, dry place.
Keep track of any gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms you have after eating and discuss them with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
I take CREON any time I eat. My dose is larger for a meal vs a small snack. Taking CREON easily fits in my schedule as I just think of it as part of my meals now.
Set follow-up appointments
It’s important to see your doctor regularly, especially at the start of treatment. Consider making all your follow-up appointments ahead of time, so you don’t miss an important check-up.
Try a mnemonic device
Remembering to take CREON every time you eat is a challenge when you first start treatment. You might try creating some kind of mnemonic device, such as a rhyme or repetition (eg "Take CREON everywhere for every meal and every snack") that helps you remember your medication.
Automate your CREON refills
Many pharmacies have tools, such as smartphone apps and text messages that initiate refills automatically. Using these helps ensure that you always have CREON when you need it.
It may seem like there's a lot to learn about EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and CREON, but this brochure can help you navigate a variety of topics and provide you with the answers you need as you're starting treatment.
CREON’s patient support programs offer financial savings, multivitamins, and educational resources.
CREON® (pancrelipase) is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes.
What is the most important information I should know about CREON?
CREON may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy. The risk of having this condition may be reduced by following the dosing instructions that your healthcare professional (HCP) gave you. Call your HCP right away if you have any unusual or severe: stomach area (abdominal) pain, bloating, trouble passing stool, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What should I tell my HCP before taking CREON?
Before taking CREON, tell your HCP about all the medicines you take and all your medical conditions, including if you are allergic to pork (pig) products; have a history of intestinal blockage or scarring or thickening of your bowel wall (fibrosing colonopathy), gout, kidney disease, or high blood uric acid (hyperuricemia); or are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed.
How should I take CREON?
Take CREON exactly as your HCP tells you. Always take CREON with a meal or snack and enough liquid to swallow CREON completely. Do not crush or chew the CREON capsule or its contents, as this may cause irritation in your mouth or change the way CREON works in your body. Talk to your HCP or consult the CREON Medication Guide for how to take CREON if you have trouble swallowing capsules.
What are the possible side effects of CREON?
CREON may cause additional serious side effects, including:
Call your HCP right away if you have any of these symptoms.
The most common side effects of CREON include blood sugar increase (hyperglycemia) or decrease (hypoglycemia), pain in your stomach, frequent or abnormal bowel movements, gas, vomiting, dizziness, sore throat, and cough.
CREON and other pancreatic enzyme products are made from the pancreas of pigs, the same pigs people eat as pork. These pigs may carry viruses. Although it has never been reported, it may be possible for a person to get a viral infection from taking pancreatic enzyme products that come from pigs.
These are not all the possible side effects of CREON. For more information, ask your HCP or pharmacist.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/PatientAccessSupport to learn more.
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