Creon® (pancrelipase) delayed‑release capsules for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

What Creon® Is and How It Works

Creon is a prescription pancrelipase. It replaces pancreatic enzymes to help digest fat, protein, and carbohydrates in people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Many patients compare creon cost across strengths, and some ask about creon cost without insurance to plan long‑term therapy. Creon comes as delayed‑release capsules that release enzymes in the small intestine, not the stomach.

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Creon contains lipase, protease, and amylase derived from porcine sources. The capsule has enteric‑coated microspheres that resist stomach acid. They dissolve at a higher pH in the duodenum to support nutrient absorption and reduce steatorrhea, bloating, and greasy stools. Doctors prescribe this creon therapy for EPI due to cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, pancreatic cancer, or other causes. Learn more about EPI in Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and related conditions like Cystic Fibrosis.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your prescriber’s directions. Dosing is based on lipase units per kilogram, the fat content of meals, symptoms, and growth in children. Capsule strengths include DR 3,000, 6,000, 12,000, 24,000, and 36,000 lipase units. Labels often show “creon dr 12000” or “creon dr 36000.”

• Start dose: commonly 500–2,500 lipase units/kg per meal; half of the meal dose with snacks.
• Usual limits: do not exceed about 2,500 lipase units/kg per meal, 10,000 units/kg/day, or 4,000 units per gram of dietary fat per day.
• Take during meals: swallow capsules with food and fluid. Taking at the start and again mid‑meal may help.
• If swallowing is hard: open the capsule and sprinkle the microspheres on a small amount of acidic soft food (e.g., applesauce). Swallow right away without chewing.
• Do not crush or chew: the coating protects the enzymes. Avoid mixing with alkaline foods or hot foods.
• Tubes: specialized methods may be used for feeding tubes under clinician guidance.
• Missed dose: skip and resume with the next meal or snack. Do not double.

Storage and travel

• Store tightly closed at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); protect from moisture and heat.
• Keep in the original bottle with desiccant; do not repack to pill boxes.
• Do not refrigerate or freeze. Avoid leaving in hot cars.
• If you sprinkle on soft food, swallow immediately; do not store the mixture.
• When traveling, keep capsules in carry‑on luggage and bring extra for delays.

Benefits and Savings

Creon pancreatic enzymes help improve fat absorption, reduce oily stools, and ease abdominal discomfort in EPI. Better nutrient uptake can support weight maintenance and growth in children with cystic fibrosis. The delayed‑release design creates targeted enzyme release in the intestine and avoids enzyme breakdown in stomach acid. This creon drug is widely used for digestion support when the pancreas cannot make enough enzymes.

Ordering from YouDrugstore can offer 60–80% savings compared with typical US prices. Many people look up creon price or creon medication price across strengths to budget for a long‑term creon prescription. If paying without insurance, you can still compare options and choose pack sizes that fit your treatment plan.

Strength choices may affect total creon medication cost. For example, those searching for creon 12000 price, creon 25000 price, or creon 36000 price can select bottles sized to their meal plan and prescriber’s dose. Multi‑month supplies and bulk promotions may lower the per‑month cost.

See current offers on our promotions page; you may find a creon coupon listed from time to time.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea.
• Oral irritation: mouth or perianal irritation if beads are chewed or held in the mouth.
• Respiratory: cough or throat irritation in some patients.
• Skin: rash or itching.
• Laboratory: increased uric acid in blood or urine.

Serious but uncommon risks include severe allergic reactions (due to porcine proteins), fibrosing colonopathy (a colon stricture risk, mainly with high doses in children with cystic fibrosis), and severe abdominal pain. Seek urgent care for signs of anaphylaxis or bowel obstruction. Creon is not for acute pancreatitis during the early phase. Discuss pork allergy, gout, or bowel disease with your clinician.

Onset Time

Symptom relief often starts within days as dosing is aligned to meals. Stools may become less oily and more formed in the first week or two. Abdominal bloating and cramping usually ease as fat malabsorption improves. Weight stabilization or gain may take several weeks to months, depending on baseline status and dietary intake.

Compare With Alternatives

Several pancrelipase brands are available. Zenpep offers multiple strengths and delayed‑release beads with similar dosing principles. Pancreaze uses enteric‑coated microspheres and comparable unit‑based labelling. Viokace is a non‑enteric‑coated tablet that must be taken with a proton pump inhibitor to protect enzymes from stomach acid. All are dosed by lipase units and titrated to symptoms.

Choice among products often depends on capsule size, available strengths, tolerability, and insurance or out‑of‑pocket costs. Patients who cannot achieve control on one brand sometimes respond after an individualized dose adjustment or a switch within the class.

If you are exploring broader EPI care topics, see our pages on Malabsorption Syndrome and Pancreatic Insufficiency.

Combination Therapy

• Proton pump inhibitor (PPI): may be added if symptoms persist due to low duodenal pH; this can help enzyme activity with enteric‑coated products.
• Fat‑soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K): often used in cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.
• Medium‑chain triglyceride (MCT) oil: sometimes used for additional calorie support.
• Dietary counseling: meal timing and fat distribution can optimize enzyme dosing.
• If switching from a non‑enteric product (e.g., Viokace), PPI co‑therapy is usually required.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Creon is used for EPI from cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, pancreatic cancer, and other conditions that reduce enzyme output. It is not for acute pancreatitis flares until the condition has stabilized. People with known pork protein allergy, suspected bowel strictures, or uncontrolled gout may need alternative plans.

Capsules are not vegetarian; pancrelipase is porcine‑derived. For infants and those who cannot swallow capsules, the microspheres may be sprinkled on acidic soft food and swallowed without chewing. Keep beads off the teeth and mouth to avoid irritation.

To manage costs, compare strengths to reduce capsule counts while keeping the same total lipase units per meal. Set gentle reorder reminders so you do not run out. Selecting larger bottles or multi‑month supplies can lower the per‑month price. These approaches can help when paying for Creon without insurance.

Authoritative Sources

Creon (pancrelipase) US Prescribing Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Creon

Manufacturer Product Page: Creon

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This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional.