Contents
The pancreas is an important organ of the digestive system. Every day it produces up to two liters of pancreatic juice, without which our body would not be able to digest fats, proteins and carbohydrates.1. The composition of pancreatic juice contains digestive enzymes: amylase, lipase, elastase, nuclease, carboxypeptidase, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen, necessary for normal digestion1.
The most common manifestation of pancreatic diseases is a violation of its secretory function. The gland begins to produce an insufficient amount of digestive enzymes, which worsens digestion2.
There are many reasons for such a violation: acute and chronic pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, operations on the pancreas itself, and even the usual nutritional errors associated with eating large amounts of fatty foods, irregular meals and overeating.2.
The main symptoms are:
- pain in the abdomen and left hypochondrium;
- flatulence;
- change in stool consistency and frequency;
- nausea, vomiting3.
The main treatment for insufficient pancreatic secretion is replacement therapy. Patients are prescribed enzyme preparations, the most famous of which is Creon.
Creon contains pancreatin, an extract of the porcine pancreas. Pancreatin contains the main digestive enzymes: lipase, amylase and protease. Since most enzymes are decomposed by the action of gastric juice, the drug is available in the form of hard enteric gelatin capsules.
The drug is produced in Russia from animal raw materials, has practically no contraindications and side effects. It can be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in childhood.
Is Creon the only effective drug? Of course not. There are many analogues of this drug, which act no less effectively and sometimes are much cheaper.
List of top 10 inexpensive and effective analogues of Creon 10000 according to KP
Together with our expert, we have compiled the top 10 inexpensive and effective analogues of Creon 10000. Let’s consider each analogue in more detail, evaluating all the characteristics, pros and cons of the drugs.
1. Pangrol 10000
One of the main analogues of Creon is the Italian drug Pangrol 10000, which contains pancreatin and in its main action is an almost complete copy of the original medicine. Pangrol is prescribed for insufficient external secretion of the pancreas, chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder, as well as to improve digestion with nutritional errors.
Pangrol 10000 is contraindicated in individual intolerance to pancreatin, acute pancreatitis and children under the age of 6 months. Do not use Pangrol during exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. During pregnancy and lactation, it is prescribed by the decision of the doctor.
Usage: 2-4 capsules with each meal with a full glass of water.
2. Ermital 10000
The German analogue of Creon Ermital contains the same pancreatin. The activity of individual enzymes is almost identical to the original drug.
Indications and contraindications for drugs are similar. The dosage of Ermital is also 2-4 capsules at each meal, washed down with plenty of water. The manufacturer also notes frequent side effects from the gastrointestinal tract: pain in the abdomen, nausea, bloating, diarrhea.
3. Mezim neo 10000
The well-known drug co-produced in Italy and Germany Mezim neo also contains pancreatin obtained from the pancreas of pigs.
Mezim neo is practically no different from the original and is actively used in replacement therapy for pancreatic insufficiency. Contraindications to taking the drug are identical with Creon. Side effects when taking Mezim neo are usually associated with the underlying disease: most often these are abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Usage: 2-4 capsules at each meal with a glass of water.
4. Pancreatin renewal 10000
Pancreatin is the most widely available of all pancreatic enzymes. It is produced by various companies and is represented by a large assortment of medicines that differ in composition and enzyme activity.
The Russian-made drug Pancreatin Reneval 10000 has less enzymatic activity than Creon, but it also works effectively in the treatment of pancreatic diseases.
Unlike the original drug, Pancreatin Reneval 1000- is not available in capsules, but in the form of enteric tablets, which complicates the choice of dosage for children. The drug can only be used from 3 years of age. Otherwise, the indications and contraindications for Pancreatin are similar to Creon.
5. Festal
Festal is perhaps the most famous medicine available in almost every home first aid kit. The drug from an Indian manufacturer is presented in the form of enteric tablets that contain pancreatin, bile components and hemicellulase.
In addition to impaired pancreatic secretion, Festal is prescribed for liver diseases, biliary dyskinesia and dysbacteriosis. At the same time, the drug has a fairly large number of contraindications: liver failure, hepatitis, cholelithiasis, biliary tract obstruction, diarrhea, pregnancy, breastfeeding and children under 3 years of age.
The drug is taken 1-2 tablets 3 times a day, which should be washed down with plenty of water.
6. Panzinorm 10000
The composition of the Slovenian drug Panzinorm 10000 includes pancreatin, similar to the original in terms of fat dissolving activity. Indications for use are exactly the same as for Creon: pancreatitis, improved digestion, condition after removal of the pancreas, etc.
In the list of contraindications, the manufacturer added hypersensitivity to pork protein, children under 3 years of age, children’s cystic fibrosis up to 15 years. Caution is also recommended for use during pregnancy.
Panzinorm 10000 is available in capsules and is taken 1-2 capsules 3 times a day during the main meal and 1 capsule during a light snack.
7. Enzistal
Enzistal and Enzistal-P are Indian drugs that contain pancreatin with lower enzymatic activity than Creon. Enzistal contains an extract of bovine bile and hemicellulase (as in Festal). The drug is prescribed to improve digestion in case of nutritional errors (overeating, malnutrition, eating fatty foods), with a sedentary lifestyle or impaired chewing function, with chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis, chronic inflammatory diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, etc.
Contraindications for the drug are the same as for Creon, as well as children under 6 years of age. Enzistal should be taken 1-2 tablets 3 times a day with meals.
8. Penzital gastro
Another Indian drug based on pancreatin, which is available in the form of enteric-coated tablets. Enzymatic activity, indications and contraindications are similar to Creon 10000. The main difference is that Penzital contains lactose as part of the excipients, so people with lactose intolerance should not take the drug.
Directions: Take 1-2 tablets before meals with a glass of water.
9. Microzyme 10000
Another analogue of Russian-made Creon, Micrasim, contains natural enzymes obtained from the pancreas of animals. The activity of protease, lipase and amylase (in terms of the ability to digest fats) is somewhat lower than that of Creon. Micrasim also contains additional excipients – polysorbate, simethicone, etc.
Micrasim, like Creon, is available in enteric capsules, which should be taken 2-4 capsules with meals with plenty of water. Contraindications for Micrasim are the same as for Creon: individual intolerance to the components, acute pancreatitis and exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. The manufacturer also notes that allergic reactions may occur while taking the drug.
10. Unienzyme
Unienzyme does not contain pancreatic enzymes in its composition, but is prescribed according to indications similar to Creon. The composition of the drug contains fungal diastase, papain, simethicone, activated charcoal and nicotinamide. Fungal diastasis and papain are also digestive enzymes and facilitate the absorption of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Simethicone facilitates the removal of gases from the intestines, reduces bloating, nausea and flatulence. Activated charcoal is a good sorbent, and vitamin PP (nicotinamide) regulates digestion.
In indications for use, in addition to violations of the functions of the pancreas, flatulence and dyspepsia. The drug is contraindicated in children under 3 years of age. Pregnancy and lactation are not contraindications, but during these periods it is worth taking the drug with caution and under medical supervision.
Application: the drug is taken 1 tablet 1-2 times a day after meals.
How to choose an analogue of Creon 10000
Most analogues of Creon 10000 contain the same components and have the same enzymatic activity. Some drugs have a lower activity, but this does not significantly affect the therapeutic effect. When choosing an analogue, it is worth considering contraindications and the presence of additional substances to which intolerance may occur. In addition, not all drugs can be used in young children, pregnant and lactating women.
Before buying an analogue of the drug, you should consult a doctor. He will evaluate all the pros and cons of a similar drug and prescribe the right treatment.
Reviews of doctors about analogues Creon 10000
According to doctors, the appointment of Creon analogues is advisable in case of intolerance to individual components of the original drug or the absence of the effect of treatment. Complete analogues of Creon 10000 have the same therapeutic effect and can be an effective replacement for the drug.
Preparations with a lower content of enzymes are more suitable for digestive disorders, as an adjuvant in complex therapy. It is important not to replace the drug yourself, but to do it under the supervision of a doctor.
Popular questions and answers
Popular questions regarding Creon 10000 analogues are answered by pharmacist Ksenia Veselova.
When can Creon 10000 analogues be used?
What happens if you stop taking Creon 10000 and switch to an analogue?
Sources:
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. O.I. Minushkin. Medical Council, 2011. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vneshnesekretornaya-nedostatochnost-podzheludochnoy-zhelezy/viewer
- Modern strategies for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I.L. Klyaritskaya, M.G. Kurchenko, S.V. Revin. KTZ, 2004, No. 2. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovremennye-strategii-diagnostiki-i-lecheniya-vneshnesekretornoy-nedostatochnosti-podzheludochnoy-zhelezy
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and its diagnosis. I.A. Iskova, S.V. Revin, M. S. Krutikova. Crimean Medical Journal, 2005. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vneshnesekretornaya-nedostatochnost-podzheludochnoy-zhelezy-i-ee-diagnostika