Creon®

Overview

Creon® can optimise nutritional status & normalise digestion, pain & bowel movements in patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).1,2

Introducing Creon
Since PEI is caused by a lack of pancreatic enzymes, treatments such as Creon (pancreatic extract) contain the extra enzymes the body needs. These treatments are called PERT - Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy.

Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency (PEI)
When the pancreas produces less than 10% of the normal amount of lipase units, the body cannot break down enough fat to maintain normal digestion. When this happens, important fats and nutrients cannot be extracted and absorbed from the food that we eat, and are instead passed through the body as waste, resulting in fatty, smelly and unpleasant diarrhoea. This condition is referred to as Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency.

How PERT works

PEI IS A MAJOR CONSEQUENCE OF A WIDE RANGE OF PANCREATIC CONDITIONS/DISEASES3-11. PERT IS THE GOLD STANDARD THERAPY FOR PEI1,3

For patients with PEI:
  • Creon® reduces PEI symptoms and improves nutritional status2,12-14
  • Creon® improves quality of life12,13
  • Creon® has a well-established safety profile1,8,15,16
Creon® 35000: Available on the PBS to optimise nutritional status & quality of life for patients with PEI12,17,18
  • An optimal dose* to reduce daily pill burden
  • May assist with adherence to PERT

*Compared with Creon® 25000
PERT: pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy

References:

  1. Creon® Approved Product Information. 24 January 2022.
  2. Ramesh H, et al. Pancreatology. 2013; 13:133-9.
  3. Smith RC, et al.Australasian guidelines for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Australasian Pancreatic Club, October 2015. Available at: https://www.pan-creas.org. au/resources (accessed November 2021).
  4. Löhr JM, et al. United European Gastroenterol J 2017; 5 (2):153–99.
  5. Keller J et al., Gut 2005; 54(Suppl VI):vi1–vi28.
  6. Nakajima K, et al. Core evidence 2012;7:77-91.
  7. Conwell D, et al. Pancreas 2014;43;1143-62.
  8. Cystic Fibrosis Nutrition Guideline Authorship Group (2017). Nutrition Guidelines for Cystic Fibrosis in Australia and New Zealand, ed. Scott C. Bell, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Sydney. Available at: https://www.thoracic.org.au/documents/item/1045 (accessed November 2021).
  9. Dominguez-Munoz JE. HPB. 2009;11 Suppl 3:3-6.
  10. Mohaprata S. et al. Pancreas 2016;45;8:1104-10.
  11. Evans K, et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2010;55:299-3004.
  12. D’Haese JG, et al. Pancreas. 2014;43(6):834-41.
  13. Safdi M, et al. Pacreas. 2006;33(2):156-62.
  14. Seller CM et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013;37(7):691-702.
  15. Dominguez-Munoz JE, et al. Clin Gastro & Hep. 2007; 5:484-88.
  16. Kuhn RJ, et al. Adv Ther. 2010;27(12):895-916.
  17. Stern RC, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000; 95(8):1932-8.
  18. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. 1 July 2021.

PI & PBS Information

PBS Information: Creon is listed on the PBS as a Digestive enzyme preparation (10 repeats).
Restricted benefit: for cystic fibrosis patients under a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement (21 repeats).

Before prescribing, please review the full Product Information available here.

Signs & Symptoms

The Pancreas
The pancreas is an organ in the digestive system which produces several important hormones as well as pancreatic juice. Pancreatic juice contains digestive enzymes (including lipases) which help the body to absorb nutrients and break down the proteins, fats and carbohydrates found in food. During a meal a healthy pancreas will release thousands of lipase units (a type of digestive enzyme).

Symptoms of PEI

Possible Symptoms of PEI
Short-term – abdominal (tummy) pain, fatty stools, diarrhoea, increased wind and weight loss.

Long-term – more serious conditions like malnutrition, which may lead to further complications.

Dosing & Administration

The Creon® Dosing Range

Creon Dosing Range

Usual dose1,2,3
  • Increase Creon® dose if required to control gastrointestinal symptoms and maintain good nutritional status1,2,3
    • Maximum DAILY dose 10,000 units lipase/kg bodyweight1
    • Maximum MEAL dose 80,000 units1
  • Low fat diet is not required or recommended when on Creon® therapy1,2

References:

  1. Creon® Approved Product Information
  2. Smith RC, et al.Australasian guidelines for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Australasian Pancreatic Club, October 2015. Available at: https://www.pancreas.org. au/resources (accessed November 2021).
  3. Löhr JM, et al. United European Gastroenterol J 2017;

Creon Patient Booklet

Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency Diary

Your guide to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and Creon

This booklet is an educational resource for people taking Creon. It is not designed to replace the advice of your healthcare professional. Please also refer to the Creon Consumer Medicine Information which is available from your doctor or pharmacist. Please consult your doctor if you have any further questions about your condition or the benefits and risks of Creon. References to any services, websites or other information by trademark or otherwise is not intended to imply the endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by Viatris Inc.

Click here to download the patient booklet

References:

  1. Creon® Consumer Medicine Information.

Creon Patient Diary

Example: Creon PEI patient diary

Who is this patient booklet for?

Living with the symptoms of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) can be unpleasant for your patients and may lead them to live a less enjoyable life than they are used to.

Creon is indicated as a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in paediatic and adult patients with PEI. This booklet is designed to help patients understand a little more about PEI and how to achieve (and maintain) the best results from their Creon medication.

This patient booklet covers:

  • What PEI is
  • Symptoms of PEI
  • What Creon is
  • How to take Creon
  • Side effects
  • What experts are saying
  • Diet and Exercise
  • Support for PEI patients

We have created a comprehensive patient booklet for your Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency patients.

Click here to download the patient booklet