Creon is a medication that is used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This condition can cause digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, weight loss, or poor absorption of nutrients.
Your doctor will prescribe a Creon dosage that is right for you. It will be based on your body weight, eating habits, and other factors.
What is Creon?
Creon is a medication that helps your body process fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. This can help your body burn fat and increase energy.
Your doctor will prescribe the right dose for you based on your condition and other things like your weight. For best results, take Creon at the start of each meal or snack you eat.
Never double a dose or skip a dose of Creon because it will not work as well. Talk with your doctor about how to remember to take it.
Don’t use over-the-counter enzyme supplements in place of Creon. These products can’t replace the enzymes your body needs to digest food.
Creon also helps to control diarrhea* in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-D and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)* due to chronic pancreatitis. Call your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of EPI or diarrhea.
How does Creon work?
Creon is a drug that’s used to help people with pancreatic insufficiency digest food. It works by secreting digestive enzymes into the small intestine.
Your doctor will prescribe Creon based on your body weight and the amount of fat and protein you eat. It’s usually taken with each meal.
If it’s difficult for you to swallow the capsules, open them and mix the contents with a small amount of room temperature acidic food such as applesauce. After you do this, take the mixture and drink enough liquid to swallow it right away.
It’s also important to avoid eating fatty or greasy foods that aren’t part of your meal plan with Creon. These types of foods are hard for your body to digest and may lead to gas, oily stools or other unpleasant symptoms.
You’ll need to tell your doctor if you have any new or worsening symptoms of your digestive system while taking Creon, especially if they occur after you start treatment. This includes gas, abdominal (belly) pain and constipation.
Do I need to change my diet?
If you have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) caused by cystic fibrosis, or certain other medical conditions or a previous surgery, then it is important that you follow a diet that will help your body digest food properly. Talk with your doctor about which foods to eat and which to avoid while taking Creon.
* Do not eat too much fat while you are on Creon as this can cause oily stools or worsen your symptoms. Your doctor or registered dietitian will be able to recommend a balanced diet that is easy for your body to digest.
Alternatively, you may want to try a digestive enzyme alternative. But you must consult your doctor first as they will be able to prescribe the best dosage for you.
Blurred vision is a common side effect of some medications and can be a sign that you have high or low blood sugar levels. If you have blurry vision that doesn’t clear up, tell your doctor.
Will Creon help me gain weight?
When you take Creon with food, it helps your body break fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into smaller parts that your body can absorb and use for energy and nutrition. This process may help you gain weight.
However, it’s important to remember that fatty or greasy foods are harder for your body to digest with Creon. This could lead to oily or smelly stools and other unpleasant symptoms.
For this reason, you should stick to a diet that your doctor creates for you. It should include a balanced mix of foods that are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
You should also avoid eating too much alcohol, smoking, and very fatty foods while taking Creon. This can interfere with the effectiveness of your Creon therapy.