What Is EPI?
Narrator:
I want to talk to you today about a condition that affects digestion called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Phew, that’s a mouthful - let’s just call it EPI.
So, what do you need to know?
Well, EPI can happen when your pancreas isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes.
Most people don’t even realize that the pancreas plays an important role in digestion.
Think of your digestive system as a factory that is constantly working to help break down your food and turn it into energy.
Your mouth helps start this process by breaking down your food into pieces that are small enough to be swallowed.
When these food pieces reach the stomach, they mix with gastric juices that help break the food down even more.
Once the broken-down food enters the small intestine, it’s time for the pancreas to do its job.
The pancreas makes enzymes that break down the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates found in food, which are called nutrients...
...so that they can be absorbed in the intestines and used by the body.
When you have EPI, your pancreas isn’t fully functional,...
...so food doesn’t get broken down properly.
This is called maldigestion.
Undigested food in your intestines can result in digestive issues...
...and because your food isn’t broken down properly, your body can’t fully absorb the nutrients you need.
This is called malabsorption.
You should know that EPI is typically a chronic condition, but the good news is it is manageable. So it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider.
Use
CREON 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, chronic pancreatitis (which is the swelling of the pancreas that lasts a long time), pancreatectomy (which is the removal of some or all of the pancreas), or other conditions.
SAFETY VOICE OVER:
USE
CREON® (pancrelipase) is a prescription medicine used to treat people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes.
Important Safety Information
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:
- Increase in blood uric acid levels (hyperuricemia), including pain, stiffness, redness or swelling of your joints.
- Allergic reactions, including trouble with breathing, skin rashes, swollen lips, or itching.
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.
