Creon – action, dosage, indications, side effects, price

Proven content

Creon is a drug used to aid digestion in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The drug contains a mixture of digestive enzymes. Kreon is available in pharmacies on prescription. Only Kreon Travix 10 capsules can be purchased without a prescription. It is a preparation with a lower enzyme content. What are the contraindications to the use of Kreon? How to properly dose this preparation? Can its use have side effects?

Kreon – general characteristics of the drug

Creon is a drug used to treat digestive disorders usually caused by pancreatic insufficiency. The main component of this preparation deserves special attention, i.e. pancreatica. It is mixture of animal pancreatic enzymes, obtained from pork pancreas.

Kreon is available as capsules filled with small granules that slowly release pancreatin in the gut. The granules are resistant to digestion by gastric juice. They are also known as minimicrospheres. Creon capsules are two-colored: one part is opaque orange, brown or red-brown and the other is clear and colorless.

This drug can only be purchased at a pharmacy with a prescription. Only Kreon Travix 10 capsules can be purchased without a prescription. It is a preparation with a lower enzyme content.

Creon sold in pharmacies may contain different amounts of pancreatic enzymes. The following are available:

1. dose of 10 U – 000, 20 or 50 capsules per package;
2. dose of 25 U – 000, 20 or 50 capsules per package;
3. dose of 35 U – 000, 50, 60, 100 and 120 capsules;
4. dose of 40 units – 000, 20 or 50 capsules in the package.

The entity responsible for the distribution of Kreon is Mylan Healthcare Sp. z o. o. The Mylan concern was established in 1961. Mylan initially operated as a pharmaceutical wholesaler that supplied drugs to customers in smaller towns. Today, Mylan is a leader among pharmaceutical companies, and their products are available in 145 countries and territories.

In addition, there are other preparations available on the pharmaceutical market under the name Kreon, whose distributors are:

1. Delfarma Sp. z o. o. – Delfarma is a leader in parallel import. This company supplies the Polish market with cheaper drugs and thus significantly contributes to the reduction of health care costs. The Delfarma company was established in 2004 and offers over 500 drugs. The company’s head office is located in Łódź;
2. Forfarm Sp. z o. o. – direct parallel importer. The company has over 400 licenses for pharmaceutical products. The company Forfarm Sp. z o. o. started its commercial activity in 2006. It is primarily a pharmaceutical wholesaler with an established position on the pharmaceutical market. The main activity of the company is trade in medicinal products under the parallel import procedure and export to licensed entities in the European Union countries. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw;
3. ModumPharma Sp. z o. o. – is a pharmaceutical wholesaler that was founded in 2016. Its head office is in Warsaw;
4. Pharmapoint SA – is a specialized company supplying pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacies in Poland. The company was founded in 2010 and its headquarters is in Łódź;
5. InPharm Sp. z o. o. – InPharm is a company that has been dealing with parallel import and distribution of medicinal products, medical devices and cosmetics since 2006. The company has an extensive network of suppliers throughout the European Union. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw.

What are digestive enzymes and what role do they play in our body? Check: Digestive enzymes – properties, role, disturbances in their production

Creon – composition and action of the drug

The main ingredient of Kreon is pancreatin, i.e. pork pancreas extract containing digestive enzymes: lipase, amylase and proteases.

To better understand the digestive process and how digestive enzymes work, it is important to remember that:

1. amylase – is an enzyme produced in the mouth that is responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates;
2. pepsyna – is an enzyme produced in the stomach that partially breaks down most proteins into shorter chains;
3. lipase – is another enzyme produced in the stomach that starts digesting emulsified fats. Further digestion takes place in the small intestine, mainly in the duodenum;
4. pancreatic amylase, proteases (chymotrypsin, trypsin), pancreatic lipase and others – these are enzymes produced in the pancreas. 

Pancreatin, a mixture of pancreatic enzymes, supports the exocrine function of the pancreas, and thus facilitates the processes of digestion and absorption of proteins, fats and starches. The compound of pancreatic enzymes regulates metabolism, reduces the symptoms of digestive disorders, and also reduces the frequency of bowel movements.

Pancreatin in Kreon is contained in a capsule in the form of minimicrospheres coated with a coating resistant to gastric juice. The minimicrospheres in the stomach are released from the capsule and mix evenly with the food content. After reaching the small intestine, the sheath of the minimicrospheres dissolves, releasing active pancreatic enzymes. These enzymes work in the lumen of the gut to help digest and absorb nutrients.

The enzymes that are part of the drug are not absorbed, they are digested in the intestine and excreted in the faeces.

The content of individual enzymes in Kreon depends on the concentration of the active substance and so:

1. Creon’s 10 j. – is 150 mg of pancreatin with the activity of: 10 U Ph.Eur. lipase (BP) 000 units Ph.Eur. amylase (BP) 8 units Ph.Eur. proteases;
2. Creon’s 25 j. – it is 300 mg of pancreatin with the activity of: 25 units of Ph.Eur. lipase (BP) 000 units Ph.Eur. amylase (BP) 18 units Ph.Eur. proteases. 
3. Creon’s 35 j. – it is 420 mg of pancreatin with activity: 35 units of Ph.Eur. lipase (BP) 000 25 units Ph.Eur. amylase (BP) 200 units Ph.Eur. proteases. 
4. Creon’s 40 j. – this is 400 mg of pancreatin with the activity of: 40 units of Ph.Eur. lipase (BP) 000 units Ph.Eur. amylase (BP) 25 units Ph.Eur. proteases.

The other ingredients of Creon are macrogol 4000, hypromellose phthalate, dimethicone 1000, cetyl alcohol and triethyl citrate. The gelatin capsule consists of: gelatin, iron (III) oxide anhydrous (E 172), iron (III) oxide hydrated (E 172), titanium dioxide (E 171) and sodium lauryl sulfate.

What is the pancreatic diet and when is it worth using: Pancreatic diet – recommendations, allowed products, recipe for lazy dumplings

Kreon – indications for the use of the drug

Kreon is a preparation that is used in children, adolescents and adults in cases of digestive disorders in the course of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce enough of the enzymes to digest food. This disease often occurs in patients struggling with:

1. cystic fibrosis (a rare genetic disease);
2. blockage of the ducts leading out of the pancreas or gallbladder;
3. an attack of acute pancreatitis;
4. chronic pancreatitis;
5. pancreatic cancer;
6. the removed pancreas or part of it;
7. the removed stomach or part of it;
8. gastrointestinal anastomosis;
9. Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (a very rare genetic disease).

Which products are particularly harmful to our pancreas? Check: The six foods that harm the pancreas the most

Kreon – contraindications to the use of the drug

The drug Kreon, despite its effectiveness in combating the symptoms of digestive disorders, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindication to the use of Creon is allergy to pork pancreatin or any of the other ingredients of this drug.

In addition, special care should be taken in patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, as a rare disease of the large intestine called fibrosing colonopathy may occur while taking Creon.

Therefore, in the case of cystic fibrosis and taking pancreatin in a dose greater than 10 units of Ph. Eur. lipase / kg body weight / day and if you experience any disturbing symptoms from the digestive system or changes in the current symptoms, contact your doctor.

What should you know about drug hypersensitivity? Check: Drugs are also allergenic

Creon – dosage and method of use

Creon should always be used exactly as described in the package leaflet or according to the doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions.

Correct dose of Creon it is measured in lipase units. Different strengths of Creon contain different amounts of lipase. The doctor decides about the number of capsules to be taken. Your doctor will adjust the dose to your needs. It depends on:

1. the type of disease;
2. body weight;
3. diet used;
4. the amount of fat present in your stools.

For cystic fibrosis, dosing should be as follows:

1. the starting dose for children under 4 years of age is 1000 lipase units / kg body weight / meal;
2. the starting dose for children 4 years of age and older, adolescents and adults is 500 lipase units / kg body weight / meal;
3. in most patients the dose should be lower than or should not exceed 10000 lipase units / kg body weight / day or 4000 lipase units / g fat consumed

In the case of other pancreatic disorders in adults, the dosage of Creon should be as follows:

1. the dose is 25 to 000 lipase units for each main meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner);
2. for snacks, the usual dose is half the dose taken with the main meal.

Creon should always be taken with meals or immediately after main meals and snacks. This allows the enzymes to mix thoroughly with the food and digest as the food passes through the small intestine.

When using Kreon, it is worth remembering a few rules:

1. the capsules should be swallowed whole;
2. the capsules must not be bitten or chewed;
3. if the capsules are difficult to swallow, you can carefully open them and add the granules to soft acidic food or mix them with an acidic drink. The acidic food can be, for example, applesauce or yoghurt. The acidic drink can be apple, orange or pineapple juice;
4. the mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing or chewing and washed down with water or juice;
5. mixing with non-acidic food or drink, biting or chewing the minimicrospheres may irritate the mouth or change the way the drug works in the body;
6. Creon or the contents of the capsules should not be kept in your mouth;
7. you should drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

Creon should be used until the doctor decides to discontinue it. For some patients, use of Creon is required for life.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Kreon – side effects

The drug Kreon, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Very common side effects after taking Creon have:

1. stomach pain.

Common side effects after taking Creon have:

1. nausea;
2. vomiting;
3. constipation;
4. flatulence; 
5. diarrhea.

These effects may be the result of an illness that is an indication for taking Creon. During the studies, the number of patients taking Creon who developed abdominal pain or diarrhea was similar or lower than those not taking Creon.

Uncommon side effects after taking Creon include:

1. rash.

The frequency of side effects after the use of Creon is not known:

1. itching and hives;
2. hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions manifested by difficulty breathing or swelling of the mouth;
3. stricture of the ileo-caecum and large intestine (fibrosing colonopathy).

What is the gut cleansing diet? Check: Intestinal cleansing diet – how to do it effectively?

Kreon and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Creon. Kreon can be used during breastfeeding.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Creon — cena

The price of Kreon may vary depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the number of capsules contained in the package, as well as the pancreatin content.

Cena lick Creon Travix 10 j.:

1. 20 capsules – about PLN 25;
2. 50 capsules – about PLN 40.

Cena lick Creation 25 j.:

1. 20 capsules – about PLN 38;
2. 50 capsules – about PLN 57.

How much money does the average Pole spend on treatment? Check: The Pole does not have a doctor’s appointment

Kreon – replacements

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Creon, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The preparations that contain pancreatin and show similar properties include:

1. Lipancrea – is a drug produced by Polfa Warszawa. It is available in two strengths: 8000 U and 16 U;
2. Neo-Pancreatinum Forte – is a drug produced by PharmaSwiss. It is available in a dose of 10 U;
3. Pangrol – is a drug produced by Berlin-Chemie. It is available in the following doses: 10 U and 000 U.

When is it worth asking the pharmacy about drug substitutes? Check: Swap when you can