What is Creon: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan. 12, 2021  •  Published Dec. 30, 2020

Creon overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Creon, Enzadyne, Pancreaze, Pertzye, Viokace, Zenpep, Zenpep

Generic Names:

  • Creon

Uses:

  • Helps patients who have cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, or digestive disorders digest food.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Gastrointestinal Agent, Enzyme Replacement, Digestant

Forms:

  • Delayed Release Capsule, Long Acting Capsule, Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Coated Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Creon come in

  • Delayed Release Capsule

  • Long Acting Capsule

  • Capsule

  • Powder

  • Tablet

  • Coated Tablet

What are common Creon doses?

  • Capsule Delayed Release Particles 12000UNIT

  • Capsule Delayed Release Particles 24000-76000UNIT

  • Capsule Delayed Release Particles 6000UNIT

  • Capsule Delayed Release Particles 36000UNIT

  • Bottle 70 Capsules Delayed Release Particles

Common Creon prescriptions

  • Creon
    100 capsules delayed release particles bottle

  • Creon
    250 capsules delayed release particles bottle

  • Creon
    70 capsules delayed release particles bottle

  • Creon
    6000-19000unit capsule delayed release particles

How to take Creon

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Take this medicine with food as directed by your doctor.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Drink a full glass of water with your medicine and plenty of fluids during the day.

  • Take the powder with meals. Avoid breathing in the powder. It can be irritating to your lungs.

  • Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not let it dissolve in your mouth. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Swallow the delayed-released capsule whole. Do not chew or crush it. If the capsule is too big to swallow, open it and put the contents in soft acidic food (including applesauce or yogurt). Swallow the mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods or liquids, including milk. Drink plenty of water or juice to make sure all of the medicine has been swallowed.

  • When the delayed-released capsule is given to infants, it may be put directly into the mouth. It may also be opened and the contents mixed with a small amount of soft food (including applesauce). Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods or liquids, including breast milk or formula. Give 4 ounces of formula or breast milk immediately after the medicine.

  • Pertzye® capsules may also be given through a gastrostomy tube with a diameter of 14 French or larger.Mix the contents of the capsule with soft foods (including applesauce).Remove the plunger and carefully spoon the mixture into the syringe. Replace the plunger partially back.Connect the syringe into the tube feeding port and inject the medicine for 10 to 12 seconds.Flush the tube with 10 mL of water to rinse all of the medicine into the stomach.

  • Throw away any unused portions of the mixture. Do not save for later use.

  • If the capsule opens, avoid breathing in the powder. It can be irritating to your lungs.

  • Viokace„¢ tablets are used in combination with medicines for stomach ulcers called proton pump inhibitors (including esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole).

  • Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

  • Oral routeCarefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the delayed-release capsules in a tightly closed container to protect them from moisture.

  • Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not let it dissolve in your mouth. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Pertzye® capsules may also be given through a gastrostomy tube with a diameter of 14 French or larger.Mix the contents of the capsule with soft foods (including applesauce).Remove the plunger and carefully spoon the mixture into the syringe. Replace the plunger partially back.Connect the syringe into the tube feeding port and inject the medicine for 10 to 12 seconds.Flush the tube with 10 mL of water to rinse all of the medicine into the stomach.

  • Oral routeCarefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Take this medicine with food as directed by your doctor.

  • Throw away any unused portions of the mixture. Do not save for later use.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Swallow the delayed-released capsule whole. Do not chew or crush it. If the capsule is too big to swallow, open it and put the contents in soft acidic food (including applesauce or yogurt). Swallow the mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods or liquids, including milk. Drink plenty of water or juice to make sure all of the medicine has been swallowed.

  • Viokace„¢ tablets are used in combination with medicines for stomach ulcers called proton pump inhibitors (including esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole).

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the delayed-release capsules in a tightly closed container to protect them from moisture.

  • If the capsule opens, avoid breathing in the powder. It can be irritating to your lungs.

  • When the delayed-released capsule is given to infants, it may be put directly into the mouth. It may also be opened and the contents mixed with a small amount of soft food (including applesauce). Do not mix the contents with alkaline foods or liquids, including breast milk or formula. Give 4 ounces of formula or breast milk immediately after the medicine.

  • Drink a full glass of water with your medicine and plenty of fluids during the day.

  • Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

  • Take the powder with meals. Avoid breathing in the powder. It can be irritating to your lungs.

What to do if you miss a dose of Creon

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the delayed-release capsules in a tightly closed container to protect them from moisture.

Creon contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to pancrelipase, pancreatin, or pork products.

Creon warnings

  • This medicine is made from the pancreas of pigs. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of pig organs has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing for certain viruses and testing during the making of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • Tell your doctor if you are lactose intolerant. Viokace„¢ tablets contain lactose, which can make this condition worse.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Fibrosing colonopathy (serious bowel disorder)High uric acid levels

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, gout, high uric acid in the blood or urine (hyperuricemia or hyperuricosuria), severe pancreas disease, or bowel problems. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing capsules or a history of problems with blood sugar levels.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Creon interactions

  • Tell your doctor if you are lactose intolerant. Viokace„¢ tablets contain lactose, which can make this condition worse.

  • This medicine is made from the pancreas of pigs. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of pig organs has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing for certain viruses and testing during the making of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • Check with your doctor right away if you have unusual or severe stomach pain, constipation, nausea, or vomiting. These may be symptoms of a rare but serious bowel disorder called fibrosing colonopathy.

  • Some foods and medicines can affect how pancrelipase works. Tell your doctor if you use iron supplements or vitamins that contain iron.

Creon side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Swelling in your feet or lower legs

  • Severe stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

  • Joint pain

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Irritation of the inside of the mouth

  • Mild diarrhea or stomach upset

  • Cough

  • Headache

  • Nosebleeds