Creon 25000 (Pancreatic Enzymes)

Creon general information

What is Creon used for?

Creon capsules 300mg are used to treat pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, which results in insufficient digestion of food, by supplementing for a deficiency in enzymes naturally produced by the pancreas.  Creon 25,000 is used in conditions associated with malabsorption syndrome, which is where there is a problem with absorption of nutrients from food ,such as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, post-pancreatectomy (following surgical removal of the pancreas), post-gastrointestinal bypass surgery, obstruction of the pancreatic duct or common bile duct (for example, due to a tumour).  Creon 25,000 helps digest food as it passes through the gastrointestinal system and helps break down the different food types so that the nutrients can be absorbed and used by the body.

How does Creon work?

Creon capsules 300mg contain pancreatin, a combination of three digestive enzymes extracted from pig pancreas glands.  These are amylase that digests starch into simple sugars; lipase that digests fat into fatty acids; and trypsin, a protease that digests proteins into polypeptides.  Digestion is the process of breaking down complex foods into the simple components so that they can be absorbed by the intestines into the blood and transported to where they are needed by the body as energy or structural building blocks.  Digestion starts with the breakdown of complex carbohydrates by amylase in the saliva and continues in the stomach where stomach acid denatures protein, making it easier for digestive enzymes to do their job.  The resulting chyme, which is a semi-fluid of partially digested food passes out of the stomach into the small intestine.  At this stage the pancreas normally produces digestive enzymes that pass into the small intestine via the pancreatic duct.  Creon 25,000 capsules, when swallowed with food, dissolve in the stomach releasing hundreds of minimicrospheres that contain the enzymes.  The minimicrospheres are protected from stomach acid by a protective enteric-coating (acid-resistant) and can mix with the partially digested food in the stomach, without being digested themselves until they leave the stomach.  The minimicrospheres enter the duodenum or the first part of the small intestine along with the chyme and then break down releasing the enzymes, which digest the different food types, so that the nutrients can be fully extracted and absorbed.  

What does Creon contain?

Creon capsules 300mg contains the active ingredient pancreatin 300mg, a combination of three digestive enzymes extracted from the pancreas; amylase (18000 PhEur units), lipase (25,000 PhEur units) and protease (1000 PhEur units), used to treat pancreatic enzyme insufficiency.  They also contain macrogol 4000, hypromellose phthalate, cetyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, dimethicone 1000, gelatin, iron oxide red (CI 77491), iron oxide yellow (CI 77492), titanium dioxide and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Treating pancreatic enzyme defficiency with Creon

Creon capsules 300mg contains pancreatin, a combination of three digestive enzymes extracted from the pancreas that is used to supplement for a deficiency in enzymes naturally produced by the pancreas.  These enzymes are amylase that digests starch, lipase that digests fat, and protease that digests proteins.  Digestion is the process of breaking down complex foods into the simple components so that they can be absorbed by the intestines into the blood and transported to be used by the body as energy or structural building blocks.  Creon 25,000 capsules, when swallowed with food, dissolve in the stomach releasing hundreds of minimicrospheres containing the enzymes that mix with chyme, a semi-fluid of partially digested food, but are protected from stomach acid by a protective enteric-coating (acid-resistant) and can mix with the chyme in the stomach, without being digested themselves.  When chyme passes out of stomach into the small intestine, the pancreas normally produces digestive enzymes that pass into the small intestine via the pancreatic duct.  At this stage, the minimicrospheres in Creon 25,000 break down releasing the enzymes, which digest the different food types, so that the nutrients can be fully extracted and absorbed.  Creon 25,000 is used in conditions associated with malabsorption syndrome, which is where there is an problem with absorption of nutrients from food such as, cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, post-pancreatectomy (following surgical removal of the pancreas), post-gastrointestinal bypass surgery, obstruction of the pancreatic duct or common bile duct (for example due to a tumour). 

What are the side effects of Creon?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Creon 25,000 include: gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, diarrhoea, skin rash.

When should Creon not be used?

You should not use Creon 25,000 if you:

• are allergic to pancreatin or pork or any pig products or any ingredients in Creon
• are pregnant or breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor

How should Creon be taken?

You should take a single Creon 25,000 capsule once daily, swallowed whole with a large glass of water and with food, either a main meal or a snack at the same time each day.  You should be upright while taking your Creon 25,000 capsule and do not take while lying down.  If swallowing capsules is difficult you can open the capsules and carefully mix the granules (without crushing) with an acidic liquid like, apple, orange or pineapple juice, or mix them into a soft acidic food like apple sauce or yoghurt.  Swallow the mixture as soon as you have added the granules and do not chew; make sure there are no granules left in your mouth.  You should drink plenty of water while taking Creon 25,000 to prevent constipation.  If required, your doctor may increase the dose of Creon 25,000.  You should continue to take your Creon capsules 25,000 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life, depending on your condition.

How long should you take Creon?

You should continue to take your Creon capsules 25,000 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life, depending on your condition.

Missed dose of Creon

If you miss a dose of Creon 25,000 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Creon be stored?

You should store your Creon 25,000 below 25°C in a cool dry place and away from direct sunlight.