EPI treatment and management

Although EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) can be chronic, it is usually a manageable condition. If you are diagnosed with EPI, your doctor will work with you to create a management plan that fits your needs. Management plans usually include pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), vitamin supplements, and sometimes adjustments to your diet.

P • E • R • T

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy

PERTs are the standard of care for EPI treatment

In people with EPI, PERTs replace the 3 main digestive enzymes that the pancreas normally produces:

Lipase

breaks down fats

Amylase

breaks down carbohydrates (sugars)

Protease

breaks down proteins

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Because PERTs help you digest food, they need to be taken every time you eat—with every meal and snack.

EPI treatment diet chart

In addition to PERTs, your doctor may recommend taking vitamin supplements since EPI can make it hard to absorb vitamins from food—specifically fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). When it comes to EPI, eating a well-balanced diet is crucial. Consulting with a nutritionist is a good way to make sure all your dietary needs are being met.

It's also important to adopt healthy habits, which can include limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking.

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Answers to frequently asked questions

Doctor Discussion Guide

Communicating your symptoms and medical history to your doctor can help you get one step closer to the right diagnosis and treatment.

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USE

CREON® (pancrelipase) is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes due to cystic fibrosis, swelling of the pancreas that lasts a long time (chronic pancreatitis), removal of some or all of the pancreas (pancreatectomy), or other conditions.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CREON may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy. Tell your doctor if you have a history of intestinal blockage, or scarring or thickening of your bowel wall (fibrosing colonopathy). The risk of having this condition may be reduced by following the dosing instructions that your doctor gave you.
Do not crush or chew CREON capsules or their contents, and do not hold the capsule or capsule contents in your mouth. Crushing, chewing, or holding the CREON capsules in your mouth may cause irritation in your mouth. Talk to your doctor or consult the CREON Medication Guide for how to take CREON if you have trouble swallowing capsules. Always take CREON with a meal or snack and enough liquid to swallow CREON completely. Take CREON exactly as your doctor tells you.
Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual or severe: stomach (abdominal) pain, bloating, trouble passing stool, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, worsening of painful, swollen joints (gout), or allergic reactions, including trouble with breathing, skin rashes, or swollen lips.
The most common side effects include increased (hyperglycemia) or decreased (hypoglycemia) blood sugars, pain in your stomach area (abdominal area), frequent or abnormal bowel movements, gas, vomiting, dizziness, or 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.

Refer to the CREON Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information every time you refill your prescription because information may change. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptom or side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

US-CREO-210280

Important Safety Information

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 doctor gave you.

Important Safety Information

CREON may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing …

Important Safety Information

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 doctor gave you.

Important Safety Information

CREON may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing …

USE

CREON® (pancrelipase) is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes due to cystic fibrosis, swelling of the pancreas that lasts a long time (chronic pancreatitis), removal of some or all of the pancreas (pancreatectomy), or other conditions.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CREON may increase your chance of having a rare bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy. Tell your doctor if you have a history of intestinal blockage, or scarring or thickening of your bowel wall (fibrosing colonopathy). The risk of having this condition may be reduced by following the dosing instructions that your doctor gave you.
Do not crush or chew CREON capsules or their contents, and do not hold the capsule or capsule contents in your mouth. Crushing, chewing, or holding the CREON capsules in your mouth may cause irritation in your mouth. Talk to your doctor or consult the CREON Medication Guide for how to take CREON if you have trouble swallowing capsules. Always take CREON with a meal or snack and enough liquid to swallow CREON completely. Take CREON exactly as your doctor tells you.
Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual or severe: stomach (abdominal) pain, bloating, trouble passing stool, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, worsening of painful, swollen joints (gout), or allergic reactions, including trouble with breathing, skin rashes, or swollen lips.
The most common side effects include increased (hyperglycemia) or decreased (hypoglycemia) blood sugars, pain in your stomach area (abdominal area), frequent or abnormal bowel movements, gas, vomiting, dizziness, or 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.

Refer to the CREON Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information every time you refill your prescription because information may change. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptom or side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

US-CREO-210280